Edmunds Answers questions

My Safari's AWD is not working, and everything is hooked up. It went out gradually. What happened?

vanman18 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:36:01 GMT

1996 GMC SLT AWD Safari Van with 160,000k. No noises or missing pieces, just no power to the front wheels. -Marlin.

i am thinking of getting new tires for my 2003 GMC Safari awd. Any ideas on what to get?

yukon252 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:35:00 GMT

i have Bridgestone Dueler that came on the van but have worn out at 65k .was thinking of Toyo or Yokhama , they our better brands. does anybody use them on there van. it a 2003 Safari slt awd with 65k on the van. drives local miles and one road trip per year.

2002 GMC Safari van all wheel drive. Should the brake pedal go to the floor when the power is off?

autoknow — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:24:58 GMT

We had the rear brakes replaced, also the rotors and wheel cylinders. Since then, when the vehicle is off, the brake pedal goes to the floor. It did not do that before. We keep being told that it is ok as they are power assisted and if the power is off, there is no brake.

Radio stays on when key shut off? GMC Safari.

jack42957 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:20:35 GMT

Radio stays on when key shut off (sometimes) on my 2003 Safari.

What would cause a 1992 GMC Safari to idle way too high?

bballmom66 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:38:55 GMT

We have checked the vacuum hoses and changed the oxygen sensor. As soon as you start the engine, it idles extremely high and stays there even after engine has reached operating temperature.

Need a car computer for a GMC Safari.

alboraim — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:46:49 GMT

i have a GMC safari, VEHICLE ID# 1GDDM19Z3RB539237, the vehivcle computer is damaged and need either a new one or good condition used one, wish to know how to get one and be deleivered into JEDDAH / SAUDI ARABIA and what's the price.

2002 GMC Safari van. Air in brakeline. No fluid loss. Bled fine. After 5 days has air again. Any clues?

pcog777pcog — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:48:46 GMT

brake peddle spongy after bleeding good not slowly but suddenly spongy again another bleed ok few days spongy again. There is no fluid loss new brakes on front good on back. Anyone any clues? 2002 safari van

I have a 1997 GMC Safari van and if my brake module is bad, will it cause my vehicle to vibrate upon hitting the brakes?

mitch27 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:13:04 GMT

1997 gmc safari van ...my vehicle vibrates really BAD when i apply my brake ... can it be because i might have a bad brake module...the mechanic said it was .....the part is like 587.00

Having trouble depressing caliper to fit over rotor with new pads installed, how do I? GMC Safari.

gruncle — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:15:57 GMT

95 GMC Safari front brake caliper.

Removed old pads, new pads wider naturally, don't know how to widen calipers to fit over rotor.
PLS tell....

2002 GMC Safari AWD. Is there a trick to removing the radiator fan shroud without getting a hernia?

professorie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:10:28 GMT

2002 GMC Safari radiator fan shroud removal. I got it out after removing the air cleaner and air intake hoses plus a lot of tugging and twisting in order to replace the idler and tensioner pulleys. I can't believe it's got to be that difficult--is there something I'm missing? I'm probably going to have to take it off again to replace the alternator soon.
Thanks, Professorie

Can I swap an automatic tranny from a 94 GMC Safari to a 89 Pontiac Safari?

Phyre — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:46:47 GMT

am recovering from pneumonia, crawling through snow to find if they match is not healthy

2001 GMC Safari. Heat/air works you can hear a fan at all speeds only blows out defrost slowly.

stevoblue — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:11:52 GMT

You can hear the fan the heat and air works. only blows out of defrost slowly at any fan speed

How to open the rear door of a 1992 GMC Safari van with power lock after the handle breaks?

afrank04 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:11:58 GMT

exterior rear door handle is broken. There is no handle on the inside of the door. All the mechanisms for the door are behind a metal partition. Power lock works fine. There just is nothing to hold on to to open the door. for a while I was able to insert a flathead screw driver in the handle opening to open the door , but now something inside has come a loose or broken.

I have a loud whistle on GMC Safari driver's side while driving

jane7042 — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:38:59 GMT

I have a 2002 AWD Safari. Previously owned a AWD Astro. On the Safari I have a very sharp whistle coming from the drivers side starting at about 35 mph. I also had it on the Astro but it just went away. However on the Safari it persist. When I open the window it is louder. I moved the mirror housing in and it quit, put it back and it started again. I then put my hand over the gaps in the housing and it stopped. I then put some black duct tape over the gaps on the back side of the mirror housing to stop the wind from going in and causing the whistle. Mow it is not as loud but still persist and I can not find out where it is coming from. It does not do it consistently but has a very high pitch and is very irritating. It seems to happen more when I am driving into a head wind.
Can you Help.

New fuel pump in 1995 GMC Safari van is not pumping fuel. I can hear it prime. Van starts if gas is poured in carb.

smrb — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:30:22 GMT

I replaced the fuel pump and it wont pump gas out of the tank. I can hear it prime when turning key on.I unhooked fuel line at filter and had the key turned over but no fuel.The vehicle is also draining batteries.It ran when i parked it.The fuel pump i replaced was only a year old. If i can hear the pump and am not getting fuel what could be the problem.If i pour gas in carb the van runs until that gas is used.
i have dropped the gas tank in my driveway 4 times looking for problems.Could i have hooked up the pump wrong?Where is the underhood fusebox/relay?
Help ME please.I was hurt at work and can not afford to go to a mechanic.I need to sell this van badly.Thanks

1995 GMC safari van won't pump gas with new fuel pump, could the pump be spinning backwards?

smrb — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:06:46 GMT

tony your right it is a throttle body,sorry about the wording. the fuel lines are all hooked up correctly . There are 4 lines coming out of the tank,two have threaded fittings and two have clamps,all 4 are sized and cant be hooked up wrong. The wiring on the pump is what i was asking about as far as hooking up wrong.The pump is priming but no fuel at all out of the tank.Could the pump be spinning backwards?
thank you

GMC Safari battery draining

judy101 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:35:33 GMT

Does anyone know why a battery would keep draining, my window wont roll up and my doors lock by themselves all the time, I just had a new battery installed, and had the alternator checked. but have had the battery in for one week and now the battery is draining, I removed all the bulbs from the overhead lights because I noticed they were coming on by themselves, is there a fuse I can remove to stop this battery draining, Please help, and where is the fuse box on a gmc safari 98? sorry people but I am no mechanic, but if someone will guide me I can remove the fuses. Thanks Judy

Why does my 1994 GMC Safari van with a 4.3L W engine want to flood at idle?

rcrowther — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:39:15 GMT

A few months back, my van began trying to flood at idle. All other driving condition seemed to be OK, and my mileage was good .... except for the idle condition.
A diagnostics showed everythign except the short and long tern fuel adjustments to be low .... very low.
To date, I have changed: The O2 sensor, the high voltage and spark control modules, the components of the distributor, and the plugs. Both the TPS and the IAC. I had the CMFI unit replaced, and I then reset the computer ... just in case. There have been no trouble codes recorded .. yet !!

I just checked the intake manifold tuning valve relay ... it's OK, but I haven't checked the calve itself .. Yet !! The catalyitic convert, and the reasonably new exhaust system are OK, and not restricted. My above idle performance is great, and acceleration is brisk.

I'm stuck: ... There are no vacuum leaks, and my fuel pressure is 65ps1 when the return line is blocked; but I haven't checked since the CMFI unit was replaced.

HELP .... Please .... Anyone ???? There has to be a solution !! Somewhere

2000 GMC Safari van transmission.

safarifan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:39:25 GMT

Bought van at 54K miles, in 2004. Made a 1000 mi. trip recently, heard
a whirring noise on return. Took to Dealer, told the "transmission fluid was foaming" paid $409.00 for "service" (filters,seals, and a tailhanger bracket). Noise was not as apparent, 2 weeks ago, but returning now.
What's my next step? Van now has 100744 miles on it, but my Chevy/GMC's have always lasted over 200K miles. Should I order a new transmission for it? Grateful for your advice!

What's the trick to starting a 1994 GMC Safari?

debd978 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:50:51 GMT

recently purchased a 1994 GMC Safari Van. Must wrap my arm around the steering wheel and hold in the shifter stick in order to start the key. Is this a saftey feature?

Need info on why my GMC Safari engine shutters and stalls (140,000 kms).

motts97 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:19:35 GMT

I purchased a 97 safari with 140,000 kms..this vehicle will be going from Ottawa ON to Toronto ON 5 times a week. Did this in 97 Astro up to 638087 kms. When purchased vehicle was in good working order..very clean and mechanically sound as I thought. Brought to my regular maintenance advisor and did the once over...Started to feel a shutter and miss reaction on motor ( I hate CHECK ENGINE LIGHT )I started by changing the oil..alingnmentand all basic once over. After 1 run to Toronto from Ottawa I noticed a shutter ( hesitation ) when driving ( 115 kms p h )
We did electronic check...replaced ( main computer/fuel filter/plugs wires cap/ rotor/ coil/ air filter/ mass air flow sensor / and still getting the shutter now also stalling when in idle ???...did a transmision flush & service / purged injectors/ and still getting that shutter and slight hesitation even at high speeds on highway....I am baffled because there are no codes coming up on unit ??? People are saying fuel pump ???

I need help diagnosing a hesitation problem with our 1999 AWD GMC Safari.

creeksideky — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:10:24 GMT

For a few months now, our 1999 AWD GMC Safari has been hesitating. The hesitation got worse, to the point that we were concerned it would just stall out. We took it to our mechanic, and he replaced the spark plugs, wires and tuned it up. He said he hoped that would fix the problem, but it didn't. The hesitation issue continued, until the van just died on us last week on the expressway. We had it towed home. It turns over, but will not start. Any ideas of what this could be? Is it something we can diagnose and repair ourselves?

Thanks for your ideas!

1997 GMC Safari heater works on floor and defrost only.

ermatinger — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:28:29 GMT

Also switching to HI fan stops all air flow. van has dual control. Read some items about heater resister but can't find any threads about what it does for you.

How do I go about checking vacuum lines?
Anyone know if the rear brakes on this model is drum of pad?

thanks a million!

Door won't latch on a 93 GMC Safari work van.

krn2 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:51:08 GMT

Went to shut door and it won't latch.seems like latch on side of door is stuck in the up in the up position. key always worked on door.When i went to shut door it just clunked .Is there anyway to reset the latch myself.don't know if i should take it to a mechanic or a locksmith.

When to replace suspension components? GMC Safari.

srind — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:22:21 GMT

I have a 1995 GMC Safari with 180,000 miles. Experiencing front inside tire wear (mainly on passenger side) and some unidentified clanking noise when hit bumps in road. Had idler arms replaced. Will replace upper and lower ball joints next but am wondering: How does one know when to replace arm bushings, coil springs, tie rods, stabilizer bar, etc.???

I can't switch the heat on my 1999 GMC Safari?

arableb — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:56:47 GMT

The heat is coming from the windshield defrost vent only. Changing the control switch makes no difference.

My 2003 GMC Safari electric door locks don't always work with fob or interior controls.

john296 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:33:31 GMT

It's been a progressive failure starting with the drivers door, then the passenger door, now the rear door. The side cargo door still works. I've replace the fob battery and no change. The failure occurs on and off again( fickle) until the specific door lock totally quits. The rear door is currently going through the fickle stage, while the side cargo door always works. How do i fix?

1999 GMC Safari when I go over an incline or bridge my fan stops blowing. Level out and it starts blowing again. Why?

mystiquesh — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:42:44 GMT

I need to know what needs to be fixed so that my fan will not STOP Blowing when going over bridges and overpasses.

2000 GMC Safari van. Back air conditioner only blows warm air while front air is cool. Front vents have minimum air flow also

chatel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:29:24 GMT

2000 Safari GMC van - front dash vents don't work well and when the air conditioner is on, only front has cool air, the back works, it just blows warm air. Please help. Thanks

Park lever locks when van is parked on a slope.

nick61 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:31:43 GMT

Transmission works fine all the time except when in Park on even the slightest slope. I cannot move the shift lever from Park position when the van is parked on a slope. I must pull the van forward slightly using a chain fall to get the shift lever to move from Park. It's the same type of locking the lever does when you do not put your foot on the brake to release the safety locking feature of the Trans. This started over the winter and has been getting progressively worse by the day. I can be in just a very, very slight incline now and it will lock. Anyone know what's going on?

Shift locking problem in park when on a slope. 1996 GMC Safari.

nick61 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:16:39 GMT

My vehicle is a 1996 GMC Safari,4.3 Vortec, automatic, 2WD. You mentioned the possibility of a bent pin in the shift column. Can you be more specific to where I would look and what I am looking for? I take it you referred to the steering column area. Can I bend back a bent pin or will in need replacing? Do you have any other suggestions now that you know the Vehicle type?

99 GMC Safari van key stuck in switch. How do I get it out?

nobody4 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:11:23 GMT

Went to turn van off and remove the key but it wouldnt release. The switch will not go to the lock position other than a stick of dynimite. How's the best way to remove the key?

I found oil in the radiator and overflow reservoir of my 98 GMC Safari. Is it the radiator that's the problem?

ivanok63 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:08:22 GMT

98 v6 GMC Safari.

Has anybody tried the Heal-a-Seal product to repair a leak in the cylinder head of the engine? GMC Safari.

ivanok63 — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:07:02 GMT

98 GMC Safari.

My 2003 GMC Safari cranks but will not start. It sounds like it is flooded.

mochajava — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:24:59 GMT

My 2003 GMC Safari cranks but will not start. It sounds like it is flooded but is not. The mechanic says it is getting fuel and there is a spark. Help!

The mechanic checked to see if the car was getting fuel, it was and there was a spark, what ever that means. Last summer we had a new fuel pump put on and the injectors "cleaned". There is no check engine light on and no nothing weird was happening before it just stopped. We intially thought it was the after market security system that went bad and wouldn't allow the car to start. That was completely disabled and after that the car happened to start. However the security light is still on. Problem solved. No 36 hours later the same problem no start. It has been very rainy here, could something be moist or wet?

03 GMC Safari won't start.

mochajava — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:43:19 GMT

More information on my 03 safari that won't start. The mechanic checked for spark, fuel delivery, amp pressure, checked for spark to plugs, check for injector pulse, checked CCC codes . He did say that the vehicle might have a V.T.D. problem and code. What does this mean and how do we correct it.

How do I remove a broken armrest from my 2004 GMC Safari van's drivers seat?

larrypizza — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:05:10 GMT

How do I remove a broken armrest from my 2004 GMC Safari van's drivers seat?

I need the numbers of the posts on top of distributor cap. GMC Safari.

j1ason26 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:43:35 GMT

I changed spark plugs and I got one of the plug wires crossed on the distributor cap. I need to know how the cap is numbered.

2002 GMC Safari AWD with 67K miles: Weird road bump sensation starting up a hill.

professorie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:23:33 GMT

When I start up a hill, the van feels as though it's going over the gaps on cement highways or like you're driving over a series of sticks spaced at intervals in the road. Is that transmission slippage? It doesn't happen on the flat.
Puzzled,
Professorie

Poor fuel economy on 1995 GMC Safari AWD.

jcdofbalto — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:11:19 GMT

I purchased a 95 Safari AWD about a month ago. The truck runs smoothly but I am only getting 9.5 mpg- all city driving. It has a new distributor in it and fresh air filter. Any ideas on how I might be able to improve mileage would be greatly appreciated. Truck has 125,000 miles on it and doesn't burn any oil.

I have a 1999 GMC Safari. When I step on the gas it dogs out and makes a pinging sound.

safari77 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:31:17 GMT

My van starts fine and idles fine, when you hit the gas it dogs out and makes a pinging sound,the harder you step on the gas the more it dogs out, if you hit the gas real hard it will die, if you restart it starts fine and you can move on but it will start dogging out again soon, What could this be?

My intermittent wipers have decided to have a mind of their own. Sometimes they don't work or freak out. GMC Safari. Help.

mochajava — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:56:09 GMT

My wipers will work sometimes. Some times they stop completely or they just keep wiping but not intermittently. Could this be the circuit board or the switch?

I have a GMC Safari that sounds like it wants to start but it won't fire. What should I check for?

lanza — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:59:33 GMT

I have a GMC Safari that sounds like it wants to start but it won't fire. What should I check for?

Where is the blower motor resistor on my 2000 GMC Safari

mgobluej — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:44:11 GMT

I have only the high speed on my blower switch working. The low and intermediate speeds do not work. I think the best place to diagnose this is at the blower motor resistor.

Does anyone know what is commonly the problem when the "Service AWD Light" light comes on? GMC Safari.

cabsman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:58:20 GMT

1999 Safari, no apparent problems that I know of. Seems to shift properly.

1993 GMC Safari loud whistle and now transmission is slipping.

wildrescue — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:10:58 GMT

I have a 1993 GMC Safari EXT 4.3L TB. About 2 months ago my van started with a horribly loud whistle sound. We took off drive belt and noise still was there. Then we disconnected all vacuume lines and noise still there. Then we disconnected one injector at a time and noise was still there. So I just drove it cause we could find no cause. Noise is very loud sounds like a vacuume leak but does go away under a load. At idle and driving down road not under load it's loud. 3 weeks of that noise and I noticed trans seemed as if it was slipping. Over time it got worse and worse and now under a load it slips. I can do a break torque and it is still strong but driving under a load it seems to be slipping. Gone through books, looked all over. Did not find anything going on. Thought possibly torque converter but not sure. Any idea's?

97 GMC Safari cranking and idle problems

jimss — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:57:57 GMT

97 Safari. Two issues. First when key is turned to start starter engages, then seems like cranking starts in slow motion, then turns a little faster then starts. Not sure at this point if it is battery or starter. Second problem. Once in a while when engine starts it will not stay at idle unless you apply throttle. After a minute or two it will stay idling.

2002 GMC Safari van - check gauges light is on.

gwolf1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:05:25 GMT

2002 gmc safari van - check gauges light is on. all gauges are reading normal. what can this mean?

What can I check for problems starting a 1997 GMC Safari Van?

joemelgrams — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:08:30 GMT

Replaced distributor cap,rotor,TPS sensor. Got 2 trouble codes for Throttle Position Sensor and "catlyst efficiency low". Plugs and Wires replaced this year. O2 sensors less than a year old. Checked Camshaft position Sensor. Verified Spark at plugs. Verified Fuel to the engine. Checked Crankshaft position sensor. Fuel pump is working. Did voltage check on the MAP sensor and reference voltage is 4-5 volts...signal voltage is >5 (6 or 7 volts). The engine will crank, but will not fire?!?

GMC Safari blower motor resistor.

rawtrucker — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:27:18 GMT

where does it go and how do i install it..1997 air condition/ AWD