KarlRoberson
New member
First off, if this exact issue (down to the point) has already been addressed, sorry to repost. If a thread related to these issues exists, please redirect me.
Secondly, excuse me if I post a lot, but I figure if I'm going to ask for help, I should provide every detail possible to assist responses.
I seem to be having a tricky problem that I have not been able to pinpoint, and I'm in dire need of help. Bought my 2000 Montana 3.6L Extended in April of '11, 166k on the odometer. I'm the second owner, and the previous owner was so kind as to provide a very thick folder detailing EVERY BIT of maintenance ever done on the vehicle. No issues when I bought it. Replaced both front axles this past August, repaired the master brake cylinder this past March, perform regular oil changes, air filter replacements, etc etc, as far as scheduled maintenances are concerned (purchased a Haynes manual for guidelines.) Started to get some annoying electrical problems, most of which seemed to fix after I replaced the battery (such as difficulty with the overdrive hitting high gears.) Still have a problem with power to my rear window actuators (occasionally they are slow or inoperational for small periods of time), and my drivers side brake light will not brighten when I hit the brade pedal (light WORKS, just doesn't brighten.) None of these seem to affect the actual driveability of the vehicle, so aren't major concerns, unless they tie into the MAJOR issue below.
Had to drive through Hurri-Super-Franken-Storm Sandy to evacuate flooding home. Drove about 160 miles, no problem. As I got off the freeway onto my exit, my car suddenly started to overheat rapidly, and my vents would only blow cold air (both front and rear vents.) Vehicle stalls everytime the temp gauge hits the top (as would be expected), and when the engine shuts off, the coolant would all drain out of the overflow reservoir. Also, the idle is jumpy/erratic, and the vehicle shakes (i can feel the vibrations in the steering wheel.) Left it sit in a family member's driveway untouched until today. Started the vehicle up today, with my manual by my side, to try and pin-point the problem so I could fix...and I'm stumped. The van's keeping temperature okay, the coolant isn't draining. The front blowers are sending warm air into the cabin (hot air if I rev the engine a bit), but the rear blowers won't turn on, and when they do, I only get cold air. My engine still has a shaky, erratic idle, jumping between 600 and 1k rpms (will kinda sit at one speed for a bit, then if I hit the throttle, or a knob jump around.) All the electrical systems seem to flicker when the idle goes nuts. Also new is the fact that if I press the A/c button, I get a weird noise from the engine compartment...a noise I DO NOT TRUST.
Also, and this may sound stupid, I noticed something involving my center console knobs. They turn just fine, but I SWEAR they seem to have also a slight bit of...I dunno, resistance? It may sound crazy, but when you get used to your vehicle, you notice even the smallest changes, even if it's your console knobs feeling different by a slight bit. I think it could be more than a coinkydink that it happens when I'm having these other issues.
Please, if anyone can provide help, I could sure as hell use it. This is my only vehicle, and although I'm going to by a new car for tax season, I'd really like to get the Montana back on the road. When it's running well, I LOVE THIS VEHICLE. Unfortunately, rather than the little engine that could, I have the minivan that CAN'T.
Ask any questions you need, I'll answer them as best as I can. Smart responses appreciated, ignorant/dumb ones ignored.
Thanks,
-Karl Roberson
Secondly, excuse me if I post a lot, but I figure if I'm going to ask for help, I should provide every detail possible to assist responses.
I seem to be having a tricky problem that I have not been able to pinpoint, and I'm in dire need of help. Bought my 2000 Montana 3.6L Extended in April of '11, 166k on the odometer. I'm the second owner, and the previous owner was so kind as to provide a very thick folder detailing EVERY BIT of maintenance ever done on the vehicle. No issues when I bought it. Replaced both front axles this past August, repaired the master brake cylinder this past March, perform regular oil changes, air filter replacements, etc etc, as far as scheduled maintenances are concerned (purchased a Haynes manual for guidelines.) Started to get some annoying electrical problems, most of which seemed to fix after I replaced the battery (such as difficulty with the overdrive hitting high gears.) Still have a problem with power to my rear window actuators (occasionally they are slow or inoperational for small periods of time), and my drivers side brake light will not brighten when I hit the brade pedal (light WORKS, just doesn't brighten.) None of these seem to affect the actual driveability of the vehicle, so aren't major concerns, unless they tie into the MAJOR issue below.
Had to drive through Hurri-Super-Franken-Storm Sandy to evacuate flooding home. Drove about 160 miles, no problem. As I got off the freeway onto my exit, my car suddenly started to overheat rapidly, and my vents would only blow cold air (both front and rear vents.) Vehicle stalls everytime the temp gauge hits the top (as would be expected), and when the engine shuts off, the coolant would all drain out of the overflow reservoir. Also, the idle is jumpy/erratic, and the vehicle shakes (i can feel the vibrations in the steering wheel.) Left it sit in a family member's driveway untouched until today. Started the vehicle up today, with my manual by my side, to try and pin-point the problem so I could fix...and I'm stumped. The van's keeping temperature okay, the coolant isn't draining. The front blowers are sending warm air into the cabin (hot air if I rev the engine a bit), but the rear blowers won't turn on, and when they do, I only get cold air. My engine still has a shaky, erratic idle, jumping between 600 and 1k rpms (will kinda sit at one speed for a bit, then if I hit the throttle, or a knob jump around.) All the electrical systems seem to flicker when the idle goes nuts. Also new is the fact that if I press the A/c button, I get a weird noise from the engine compartment...a noise I DO NOT TRUST.
Also, and this may sound stupid, I noticed something involving my center console knobs. They turn just fine, but I SWEAR they seem to have also a slight bit of...I dunno, resistance? It may sound crazy, but when you get used to your vehicle, you notice even the smallest changes, even if it's your console knobs feeling different by a slight bit. I think it could be more than a coinkydink that it happens when I'm having these other issues.
Please, if anyone can provide help, I could sure as hell use it. This is my only vehicle, and although I'm going to by a new car for tax season, I'd really like to get the Montana back on the road. When it's running well, I LOVE THIS VEHICLE. Unfortunately, rather than the little engine that could, I have the minivan that CAN'T.
Ask any questions you need, I'll answer them as best as I can. Smart responses appreciated, ignorant/dumb ones ignored.
Thanks,
-Karl Roberson
