Accessing the van engine!

[llamavan]

See THIS Library Article for basic access to your van's engine.

Gwen

[llamavan]

See THIS Library Article for an illustrated tutorial on removing the passenger side engine access panel.

Gwen

[brentlehr]

I've owned my 1989 AT van for almost 2 years, covering over 45K trouble free miles all over the country in every condition imaginable. I just recently learned about the passenger side access panel but want to make sure I remove the center console / gear selector correctly. Anything I need to worry about? I read the 'Accessing the van engine' post but it only shows a manual trans.

This is going to chage everything, and perfect timing too b/c I'm getting ready to replace the distributor cap and rotor, plug wires, plugs, fuel pump, and power steering return line. Wish I would have know about this panel the fist time around.... that was a nightmare.

[timsrv]

Other than a couple more wire connectors to unplug, there really isn't any notable difference between auto and manual. Yours being an 89 you will have to deal with the gas door release cable but that's easy. You can either pop the cable out of the release lever mechanism or remove the entire release lever assembly (it's only held on by 1 screw after the plastic console is removed). Have fun with your project. Tim

[joegri]

when i got my first van i did,nt know how to access the passenger side till i started bumpin round the internet, then i found out how to. now after all these years i have it down to a nas car pit stop. i aint braggin but i can have the side off and opened up in a few minutes. i use a sparkplug wrench thing kinda shaped like an old hand drill. i think theyre called a brace. anyway access is easy and assembly is easy. but the coolest thing is ya hardly ever have to open that side !!!! theses darn vans make me nutz but i,m glad i have em !!

[User1]

Hey Tim,

As always, great job on explaining and posting the layout. If it wasn't for your post I would be completely lost! I have a question on your very last photo you posted on the thread. I don't have a clue where you are referring to. I think if all the text was on the side on that one, I might have a chance.

When I've taken my seat out I have a wire that I'm not sure what it is, any idea?



I've taken the console box out of mine. I could use another;



Any ideas on finding another, other than junkyard?

Also need to replace this part,



For now I'm just gluing as best I could.

[timsrv]

Give your kudos to Gwen (llamavan) as she's the one who made this awesome write-up . The wire in your picture is not stock. That's something that was added........you'll have to chase it down to see where it goes. As for the parts you're looking for, I think the salvage yard is your best bet. Tim

PS: In that last picture she's referring to some PITA clips that tie the shifter and throttle cable to the underside of that cover. You'll find out if your van still has them when you go to lift the cover. Tim

[Zpenceretch]

Hello, I removed my passenger seat panel below it, and the center and console and shifter to access the engine. I did this to change out my plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. This is the first time I've ever done any of this on my van, seeing as I'm a new owner of my 87 converted cargo. Now that I'm pitting everything back together, I cannot attach the cable back to the shifter box when it is in park. I can attach it when I have it in drive, but when I go to put it in park, it gets stuck on the metal on the cable that is set into the groove on the back of the shifter. I am really stuck here, anything would help me greatly. Thanks!

[timsrv]

It's hard to visualize exactly what the problem is, but if I was fighting with this I would disconnect the shifter cable from the transmission, install the shifter, then re-attach the cable to the transmission and adjust/set-up from scratch. In the future, there's no reason to disconnect or remove the shifter. The brake & shifter cables are flexible enough for you to move the entire access panel into the back & out of your way without messing with these at all. There may be a couple clamps attaching the cables to the cover, but these can be easily removed, allowing the flex/movement you need to remove the cover. Tim

[Zpenceretch]

Thanks Tim, I got it all sorted out, just had to reset the cable to park. Appreciate your input.

[Kombi]

See THIS Library Article for basic access to your van's engine.

Gwen

Thank you for the kindness of posting this. Great pics

I might suggest the loose juice of your choice the day before accompanied by gentile taps before dealing with 35 year old vans.

[Flounder]

I've replaced ignition coils, distributor caps, rotors, and all associated gaskets on 3 of my 4 vans without completely removing the passenger side engine cover. In every case it was easy enough to just push it to the side without disconnecting anything (all my vans are sticks). As a test I stuck a socket and ratchet in far enough to loosen the #4 spark plug; was able to easily reach it. I'm gearing up (no pun intended) for an engine swap on one of my 4WDs when I go home on vacation in May. Will probably have to pull the cover all the way off for that...

[SoORYotas]

And the right side passenger door from the few posts I have read