I know this is a weird post to see under a site about web design but every once in a while I will post tales of my auto repair experiences. Especially if I could not find any good information on the subject online. Today we will discuss turning the “service engine soon” off in my 2003 Chevolet Venture.
We own a 2003 Chevy Venture with just a hair under 100, 000 miles on it. We brought it around 4 weeks ago since it was a great deal and we needed a Minivan for us and our two kids. Everything was running fine on the van until about a week ago. That is when my wife informed me that the dreaded check engine light came on and stayed one. This was especially bad news since in Georgia we must pass an Emissions test and having the check engine light on is an automatic failure. π¦
The first thing I did was take the van to Autozone. Autozone will check the codes on your cars computer to find out the reason behind it for free. However if you feel like paying you can visit your neighborhood mechanic for an engine diagnostic. π Anyway Autozone will give you a print out detailing the possible causes. Unfortunately there could be many so for the home mechanic like me, this means I will have to check each issue in order of expense.
Since gas cap was listed as one of the issues, I decided to change my gas cap ($10) and then reset the light to see what happened. In order to reset the “service engine soon” light in the Venture, the negative battery cable must be removed for a couple of minutes. Unfortunately in the Venture, the engine compartment is rather tight, so you must remove a few things just to get to the battery.
Here are the steps you should follow:
- Find a basic tool set
- Open the hood
- Remove the top engine cover located just under the windshield on the passenger side.
- Remove the bolts holding the long bar located over the battery to the body frame. Be careful, do not remove the fuse box from the bar or disconnect any of the wires.
- Position the bar and fuse box below the battery to allow easier access to the negative battery terminal.
- Remove the negative battery terminal from the battery and sit to the side .
- Wait 2-5 mins.
- Reconnect the negative terminal to the battery.
- After positioning the bar and box away from any moving parts, start the van to make sure that the “Service Engine Soon” light is no longer illuminated. (You don’t want to put it all back and then find out the light is still on)
- Once confirmed, replace the bar and top engine cover in reverse order of removal.
Following the steps above I was able to clear the check engine light and take the van to get Emissions tested. ( Hooray!) Unfortunately, I failed the exam because you have to drive your car for at least 150 miles after disconnecting the battery from the computer in order for the emissions test to be performed in Georgia. (Boo!…*sigh*)
Hopefully this helps. I will put out an update once I pass emissions. π
Update (09/06/09): Well this turned out to be a real issue after all. I wound up paying Firestone around $200 to clean the EGR valve since this engine is so compacted. Then I had to drive 100 miles before the emissions test since the test checks to see if the battery had been disconnected or discharged in the last 100 miles. (Automatic failure) I did pass though (woo hoo!!). However I don’t like the compactness of this engine so I wouldn’t recommend this model to anyone who is a do it yourselfer like me.
Most likely your light isn’t on because of a “glitch.” The vehicle monitoring system is extremely reliable and stable.
I hate my 2003 Venture… I honestly think it is the worst designed engine compartment. Can’t change my own air filter, in fact it is the only car that auto-repair places charge labor costs for changing. Can’t access the battery (I will try to follow your post to access it)… Can’t access the radiator cap (unless you have the hands the size of a monkey or small child). This is the same issue with changing the oil filter it is a very tight fit to get the filter wrench up there (not quite as bad as the radiator cap, but close).
To be honest, I come from a GM family… grandfathers, father, brother… but I am now seriously thinking that it is time to stop buying their crappy vehicles. The people that approved this design should be fired.
Your web-site and content are extremely interesting ! Thanks for providing such a great useful resource. With so many rubbish websites out there itβs refreshing to find one with valuable, useful info ! Iβll be back to read regularly!
Thanks for the great feedback. The good old Chevy Venture has given me plenty to write about so hope to post more about the adventures soon. π
My 2003 Venture has 230,000 miles I love it and hate working on it! Wait until you try and change the oxygen senser, it has two, the back one is not bad you just need the special socket, but the front one is at the back of the engine on the manafold. I could get a hold of it after many trys, but couldn’t get it lose, had to finally take it in.
The rear brakes are a pain, takes two people to change them!
Thanks for the feedback Larry. I’m glad yours has lasted so long for you and definitely not looking forward to trying the oxygen sensors. They really made the engine a tight squeeze. I’m wondering if it was to deter people from fixing stuff themselves.
Funny I came across this. We literally just got done changing the 1st O2 sensor. It is indeed a pain, but doable. You have to feel rather than see what you’re doing. And definitely use the special wrench.
Thanks for the feedback T.Marie. I know I will have to change the O2 eventually unfortunately π¦
I own a 2003 Venture with approx. 75,000 miles on it. The check englne light went on last year…stayed on for a long time (even though we reset it many times). Finally about a month ago when it came back on, we went to a mechanic and they did some kind of diagnostic test on it. Said it was the oxygen sensor (by the engine)…paid $200. to get it replaced. Light came on again…we took it back and they checked and said it was a ‘loose wire’…….been fine ever since. Love the venture van!!
Thanks for the feedback Terri! We love our 2003 Venture as well. 125,000+ and going strong π
Oh my goodness $200. When my front O2sensor went out I bought the part not know it was gonna be so hard $56 I took it to a mechanic who charged me $60 to install it.
recently my 2003 venture over heated, busted a 3-way plastic fitting in the back top side under the windshield. pain to change but did it. it still over heated so we changed to thermostat, so hard to reach the bottom bolt, the part was only $12.99 for the fail safe at autozone. make sure you take the throttle body and the air filter and air filter hose off before attempting to remove the thermostat 13mm bolts. didn’t really help much so we replaced water pump, $20.00 piece of cake compared to the thermostat. make sure if you do this you look for the 2 air bleeder valves to remove the air from your lines when your done.
Now my check engine light comes on and goes off so now its time to find out what that is.
my 2003 venture is a mess.Wait until yu change the alternator.
Oh boy….definitely not looking forward to that kush. I’ll just have to pay the mechanic for that one
I am having the same issue i have to get the egr valve cleaned but the Guy told me $400 but I see u only paid 200 so I’m gonna have to shop around for prices
Thanks for the feedback frances. Yes is always makes sense to get at least a second option since it usually doesn’t cost much extra besides the time to do it. Hope your able to find someone who will do it at a reasonable price closer to what I paid.
I have a 98 venture
funny…. found this web site too by trying to get my engine light to go off. my bother just got done putting in my H2O in and he had trouble getting in there too couldnt see where the aires were going…. Fyi to anyone Auto Zone will “loan” you that special tool you will need to change the H2O for $25 and you get it back once you return it….any body have trouble with the ABS light as well? next on my to do list. Keep up the great job on this site…pics were really helpful… Lupe π
Thanks for the great feedback and useful tip Lupe. Glad you like the site and that it was of help. I hope you get that ABS light fixed soon π
My ABS light came on , and it turned out to be a broken wire in the harness !
Had it replaced , fine for a few months , then it came on again.
This time “they” told me it was a sensor on the wheel bearing…cost 750 $ Canadian. Since I have years and years of driving experience before all this Abs “stuff” , I figure I can do just as well driving with the dumb light on !!!
Just have to be a wee bit careful in winter.
Thanks for the feedback. Sorry to hear about the troubles. Hopefully it will be figured out for you soon
In my case, the cheack eng light not on,,its tilted and not turnthe eng.on and not started
excused my ortography i speak spanish
i own a 99 chevy venture and love it with a passion as well as others don’t like to work on it lol but I have an intermitant problem with service engine light it comes on if you try to start your car real fast and let go of the key assuming it started but it didn’t and that’s when I get service engine light on found out gotta drive it at least 4 days with about 20 miles of driving every day before it goes out also found out it won’t go out after so many starts as well hope this was useful to you venture lovers. thanks for all those commenters like every story.
I also just purchased a 2003 Chevy Venture and have only put 500 miles on it since I took it home about 6 weeks ago. I love the van for my family and it was a great price and seems to be very economical compared to our previous vehicles. My “Service Engine Soon” light came on and has not turne off. I was doing some research online to see what the issue could be prior to going to Autozone and the dealership to have 2 seperate diagnostics done. I just want to make sure I get a straight answer from both places. Anyway, kinda disheartening to hear that it is so hard to work on this car on your own. But this blog seems to be quite helpful and I will stick around for any advise I can get and give if I have any! Thanks!!!
Sorry for the EXTREMELY late response to this. I really appreciate your feedback and hope your Venture is performing much better now. Did the AutoZone give you the code so you can get it fixed? Anyway I hope you love you Venture still!
I have a 2003 Chevy Venture and I do all of my own work. The EGR valve, pressure valve. and a whole lot of other stuff. You definitely hve to have patience but it can be done even the o2 sensor.
Cool deal. I haven’t tried much since the engine is just too tight for me. I’m used to the open space of my Jeep Grand Cherokee with the in line V6 π
Had my 98 Chev.Venture wheel bearing replaced,drove about 50km(30miles) front end shaking,grinding noise in wheel.Took it back to garage was told nuts came loose,said it is because I have aluminum wheels,never had a problem like,this before?
Hi I came across this looking for help I own a 2003 chevy venture minivan wanted to know how do you check the EGR valve to see if it’s bad as my check engine light is on as well I sure hope some of you venture owners I know my hubby changed the coil pack as it wouldn’t start just turn over an the module an took the fuel pump out clean it as those are like 300 new an we are on disability just need to know how to check EGR valve thank you
I have a 2003 Silhouette (same as Venture) since new. It has 188K miles now. Original spark plugs, original trans fluid, original engine coolant, original air filter, but fairly religious oil/filter changes. I’m currently afraid to touch the coolant, with all the gasket problems that people who touch the coolant have run into. Until I see a leak, need for more fluid, or a temp problem, I’m not touching it. Might be time for a trans fluid change, though, seeing as during the winter it liked staying in 1st or 2nd gear until warmed up. Maybe ice from condensation inside? Having a Prius now, I don’t use the van much, so it’s easier to take the mileage hit of warming the van up before winter driving, versus rocking the boat by servicing the trans. Lifetime average has dropped from 25.4mpg to 25.3mpg on the display. The only real diagnostic problem I’ve had was an emissions code appearing to be some sensor on the gas tank, but $150 later found out it was an unspecified loose/broken wire. Plus I’ve replaced front wheel bearings many times starting at around 90K. After 3 trips to the mechanic and 4 bearings, I learned to replace them myself in what started out as 2 hours and eventually became about a half hour with all the proper tools and a bearing kept in a box in the van just for that purpose. Here is my advice about wheel bearings….DO NOT believe ANYONE (mechanics, parts dealers, ebay dealers, Amazon dealers) that a wheel bearing is high quality and/or made in USA. Plus, even the AC Delco part is of suspect quality compared to what I eventually found/used. I found an ebay dealer selling the Timken bearing for it, new and sealed in the orange box with Timken hologram seals. Paid just under $100ea for the $250ea bearings, and haven’t had a bearing problem or ABS warning light related to them, since. Why I wrote now is that I just got the check engine light, and my code reader says P0440, basically evap emissions large leak during self testing. The gas cap seal has numerous little radial cracks in it, so I’m hoping it’s only that. While my code reader was about $90, at least get yourself a $15 generic OBD-II reader so you can read codes in any car, and reset them by hitting a button rather than disconnecting the battery. You still do have to do several complete warmups/cooldowns and some driving after a reset, before the codes are ready for an emissions test. I’m currently trying to find out the exact GM or Delco part number for the gas cap, there are conflicting reports about that on various autopart websites. I’m thinking it’s either GT279 or GT261, but will pin it down before buying, hopefully.
Thanks for your info. I have a 2002 Venture. Ran across your site looking for how to shut off the service engine light. I’ve already done the necessary repairs but the light won’t go out. New York also requires a yearly inspection and that light will be an automatic fail.
I love driving it, handles great and turning radius is surprisingly tight. I’m a handyman so I needed a vehicle that I can put a couple 4’x8′ sheets and still close the hatch. Mine is the extended wheel base so it can handle that.
The only thing I don’t like is having to work on it! It is a great pain. Often difficult to get the tool into where you need it. Just the routine maintenance of replacing filters and hoses often takes all day.
I came across this post while searching for a better way to reset the check engine light. There is a quick way according to the Haynes manual. You can remove the PCM fuse, wait 30 seconds and then replace it. You have to move the fuse box to get at the negative post on the battery anyway, so this is much easier. Haynes calls it the PCM fuse. My fuse panel shows it is the ICM fuse #33. If you are taking your van to a garage make sure they are not just parts changers. If they know how to diagnois they will save you money and they can do more repairs with less call backs. Just like finding a good mechanic can be hard to do, finding good advice on line requires filtering out the bad advice. I was a radio repairman in the Army in the late 60’s and a maintenance technician supervisor for over twenty years. The only time I take a car in is when it’s under warranty or I am too busy to do it my self. I have had some service writers try to pass off a lot of BS. Like Sgt. Esterhaus would say, “Be careful out there!”