I just bought a 2009 uplander.Checking under the hood I noticed th + terminal bolt is loose. This could cause a lot of power/alternator troubles.Has anyone else found this condition?

 

omg SEE IF ITS A PROBLEM WITH A SOLENOID FLOODING THE ENGINE... JUST GOT THIS ON MINE TOOK A WEEK TO FIGURE OUT AND FIX.

 

What solenoid are you talking about? Do you mean fuel injector?

 

Hello all,

I found another post on the interwebs that indicated that there is a systemic problem with the bolt on the starter holding the cables connected to the starter and alternator can be loose. Sure enough, I went under the van and found my bolt on the starter was loose as well. I tightened it up with a 13mm ratcheting box wrench (it is difficult to get at) and that fixed the problem.

Thanks to all of the posts here and elsewhere that allowed me to fix the problem and not get raped by a dishonest mechanic (and they are not all dishonest) at a stealership.

 

Thanks for the update !!

We need that kind of feedback.

 

No I did not
I got it myself done .
The alternator did all that hassle .
I did change the alternator and everything
works fine. The best .

 

has anyone found any new info on this electrical problem because im going broke and of course chevy don't seem to want to know who are unless your at the dealership to buy a new car

 

If you notice throughout this thread, most if not all charging/electrical issues point to a faulty alternator/regulator.

I've had my '08 Cargo van for over 3 years, have a modest sound system in it (upgraded fronts, 12" sub, 4 channel amp), and have never had any electrical issues.

I have however also replaced the battery once the original left me stranded.

 

Hi.. What problems are you having? Need to know symptoms

 

I've been having the exact same problems as noted here. I bought my Chevy Uplander 2008 in 2012. A few months later, one problem I did have was with the neutral safety switch which very rarely will act up and I won't be able to start the car unless its in neutral. It happens so seldom (only five times since I've had it) that I haven't really bothered too look into it.

So a couple weeks ago, I was on my way to another part of town and I looked down at my dash and saw the message "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE". I freaked and automatically turned around and headed home. As I continued to drive, another message came on alternately that read "BATTERY SAVER ON" or something like that. I just wanted to get home before something else happened. Then all of the dashboard warnings came on at the same time: ABS, TC (traction control) and CHECK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, etc. I was convinced the car would leave me stranded. A few minutes later, I looked down and all of the lights had gone out and everything was normal again. But I wasn't going to take any chances so I took it straight home hoping to catch my mechanic before he closed shop.

I wasn't able to get there in time but since Im currently on disability, I knew I'd have plenty of time to catch him. Well I didn't take the car to him right away. I mentioned it to a friend and he said it might be a bad terminal or something. To me, it sounded like some kind of short circuit. Anyway, I checked the terminals and they all seemed fine.

Two days ago, I had to go downtown for some business. I drove down to a residential area where I wouldn't have to pay for parking and I walked from there into the city. After I parked the car, I noticed it was slightly out of line with the curb so I got back in to reposition it and the damn thing wouldn't start and all those same dashboard lights came on again only this time, the locks started to lock and unlock themselves repeatedly, the gauge needles began to shake and the horn started blowing. It would all stop when I turned the car off. I repeated this three times and each time, the same results. I left the car and walked into the city to conduct my business. An hour and a half later, I walked back to my car, praying it would start but figuring I'd need a tow truck to haul it to a Pep Boys or something. To my surprise it started and I was able to get it back home.

Yesterday, I took it to my mechanic and told him what's happened. Of course, none of this poltergeist mess happened when I drove the car there. He called me an hour later. He said he checked the alternator and everything was fine. He replaced my battery (which Im sure was fine but he had to make some money off of me like always) and said that might be the issue which I doubt. So now Im just waiting around to see if this crap happens again. Im trying not to take my car to a dealership. I bought the car used and my warranty expired last August. I don't want to get raked over the coals since I know they design these cars so only they know what's really wrong with these cars.

From reading this thread looks like Im not the only one having a problem so Im glad I googled it and found you guys. So has anybody found any answers or solutions to what's going on with these vans? I have to go to Boston in another month and a half and I can't have this problem. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.