So Fix it

The Chevrolet Venture is a General Motors (GM) minivan produced between 1997 and 2005, and the 2001 version generally featured a V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. When something is wrong with your vehicle, you often receive a diagnostic trouble code (DTC), but you need to know the definition of these codes before you can fix the problem. Because this is an on-board diagnostic II (OBD-II) vehicle, it has standardized codes unlike OBD-I vehicles, in which codes were only relevant to vehicle where you obtained the coding.

P0300

This code means that something is wrong with the wiring in your electrical system. If you have replaced a valve body assembly, then you may have stretched a wire harness either too much or just incorrectly or the orientation of the purge control solenoid is incorrect. You should also check the cross injector wires as well as they may be misfiring, and they may misfire all the time you are driving.

P0716

This error code falls under the Unknown or Other category, but it generally means that something is wrong with your powertrain system, which is the system that creates power, including driveshafts, the engine and the transmission. You should check your turbine speed sensor A circuit if you receive this message. This circuit could make your transmission slip if its not working properly. With this error code, you may also receive other DTCs, and your Check Engine light may come on. If you do receive this DTC, have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

P0741

This is another powertrain DTC, and you will receive this message only if you have an automatic transmission. The P0741 DTC refers to your torque converter clutch, and this device moves power from a rotating prime mover like your motor or engine to a driven load, which is also rotating. This DTC means that this clutch is stuck in the on position, meaning either your transmission is slipping, or you are having trouble shifting. Take your vehicle for service as soon as possible.

P1811

This error is for manual transmission 2001 Chevrolet Ventures. This is also a powertrain DTC, which means that your transmission is either slipping, or you are having trouble shifting. You may also experience random shuddering, or just overall bad engine performance. With this DTC, you may also receive the P0757 DTC as well, which means that something is wrong with your PCS A electrical system.

The throttle position sensor, or TPS, monitors the position of the throttle. The TPS is a potentiometer that sends an electrical signal to the powertrain control module. The PCM uses this information to adjust fuel/air mixtures. A faulty TPS will cause erratic idling since it sends the wrong information to the PCM.

Finding the TPS

The TPS is located on the end of the throttle shaft on the throttle body. To find the throttle body look to the left of the intake cover. The intake cover has the name of the engine on it, for instance it may read "3400 SFI" in large letters. The throttle body is just to the left of the cover and close to the firewall. The TPS is a small black electrical unit mounted right beside the air intake duct.

Function of the TPS

The TPS sends different voltages to the PCM depending on the angle of the throttle valve. If the TPS is broken or loose it may cause erratic idling since the PCM is receiving different voltages, as if the throttle were moving.

Checking the TPS

You can check the TPS by first checking that the electrical connections are tight and not corroded. Check the wiring harness and wires for damage or breaks. Use a voltmeter to test the current coming from the TPS. With the engine off the TPS should be sending 5.0 volts of current. Check the current at idle and increasing RPMs. At idle the voltage should read 0.5 volts and at high rpm it should read 4.5 volts.