Expert: Mark Bisig - 10/18/2005

Question
On 2 seperate occasions my wife's 98 Chevy Venure failed to start after being driven in the rain & parked for a short period of time.  Each time the electricals were totally dead - no interior light, no clock, no radio, no remote unlock, nothing - like the battery had been removed.  After sitting for an hour or so though, it starts like nothing was wrong.  When I had the electrical system checked out at my AAA private garage they indicated all the codes they could check came up fine, but that the dealer could check more.   Question - Any idea whats wrong?  - if there is a crack or something in the chip that only acts up in wet weather is it likely a diagnositc check would turn it up?  Would it be cheaper to install a new after market chip than go thru all the diagnostic work?  Its been a good vehicle and runs fine other than this, however I don't want to spend big bucks if I don't have to, however we'd like to be able to depend on it.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Ken, With a problem where there are no headlights or like you said ...the battery isn't there. check the battery terminals to make sure that they are tight!!If there tight, I would replace the battery and make sure that there is no corroded cable ends. I'm sure that this will repair your van.

Have a Great Day

Mark