Fix It

The standard layout for automotive PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valves was developed when rear-wheel-drive vehicles were the only kind on the road. The PCV concept became common in all internal combustion engines, including those in front-wheel-drive cars. The 2000 Chevrolet Lumina is a front-wheel drive vehicle with a sideways ("transverse mounted") engine. The emissions control system in the Lumina engine is basically the same as in other cars, but the PCV valve is placed in a different location than on other vehicles. Locating the PCV valve on a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina takes just a few minutes and no tools.

Instructions

1

Remove the engine cover, if one is present. Disconnect the oil filler tube by grasping it firmly and rotating it counterclockwise. The tube will lift out at that point, and the cover will pull right off.

2

Disconnect the vacuum tubing from the PCV valve on the 3.1-liter engine. The PCV valve is positioned on the passengers side of the engine along the back firewall. You will notice the tubing connecting to the top rear corner of the valve cover. That is the vacuum tubing. The PCV valve pops out when pulled. Inspect the unit and replace as necessary.

3

Disconnect the MAP sensor on the 3.8-liter engine to access the PCV valve. The sensor is positioned to the left of the spark plug wires just in front of the alternator as you look at the engine. The MAP sensor sits on top of the PCV cover. Unclip the sensor. Twist the cover about 1/8-turn and pull it free. The PCV valve sits in the housing and just pulls out. Remove and inspect the unit. Replace as necessary. Installation is the reverse of removal.

The alternator in a 1992 Chevy Lumina is what supplies the power for everything electrical in the car. The cars alternator is also responsible for keeping the battery fully charged. When the alternator goes bad, none of this happens. Your battery goes dead and you wont be able to start the car anymore. The alternator works on the principle of a magnet moving across a wire inducing current flow and voltage. This voltage and current are internally regulated to levels that are usable by your car.



Changing the alternator in your front wheel drive 1992 Chevy Lumina is a fairly easy project that anyone with the proper tools can accomplish in a couple of hours.

Instructions

Removal of Old Alternator

1

Loosen and remove the negative battery cable from the battery, using the 5/16 wrench. Tuck it out of the way. Ensure that it wont move and make contact with the battery while youre working.

2

Insert the square drive of the ratchet into the square opening on the tensioner pulley and pull the pulley off the serpentine belt. With the tension on the belt released, carefully pull the serpentine belt off the alternator pulley and push it out of the way. Normally, you need to turn this pulley clockwise to release tension.

3

Loosen the two bolts that secure the alternator to the side of the engine closest to the bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment using the ratchet and a 9/16 or 5/8 socket. You need to turn these bolts counter-clockwise to remove them. Set these bolts aside where you can easily reach them during installation.

4

Lift the alternator out of its location. There will be a two wire connectors on the back of the alternator. One is a screw terminal and the other is plug. Both of these need to be removed. Squeeze the connector and pull straight out. Use a 3/8 or 10mm wrench to remove the nut securing the large single wire. Set the old alternator aside as youll need to return it for a core refund.

Installation of the New Alternator

5

Connect the large wire to the lug labeled "BAT" on the back of the alternator and secure it with the nut and washer provided.Use the same wrench you used for removal to tighten the nut. Insert the two wire connector into the connector on the alternator.

6

Lower the alternator into place with one hand and, using the other hand, insert the bolts and thread them in as much as you can by hand. Use the ratchet to make the bolts as tight as you can. The bolts need to be turned clockwise to install them.

7

Route the serpentine belt back onto the alternator pulley and up to the tensioner pulley. Insert the square drive of the ratchet into the square opening on the tensioner pulley and turn clockwise to lift the pulley out of the way. Carefully slide the serpentine belt over the tensioner pulley and slowly let the spring take tension back onto the belt.

8

Reattach the negative battery cable. Use the 5/16 wrench to tighten the terminal bolt clockwise.

General Motors, manufacturer of the Chevy Lumina, has issued one recall due to wiring problems with the vehicle as of January 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports multiple complaints regarding other wiring problems that havent prompted recalls, however, and concerned Lumina owners should verify with the NHTSA whether repair compensation is available.

Windshield Wipers

In 1997, General Motors recalled certain 1995 Chevy Lumina vehicles for a wiring problem with the washer/wiper switch power feed wire, which could strain or separate, causing the wipers to malfunction. Inoperative windshield wipers pose an accident risk in inclement weather.

Turn Signal

The NHTSAs website shows that several complaints from owners of 1993 Luminas regarding turn signal wiring problems, with some consumers reporting smoke intermittently coming from the steering column.

Alternator

A few owners of 1993 Luminas report fires due to wiring problems in the alternator, according to the NHTSA, with one consumer citing two fires. Another driver reports having trouble starting the car because of the alternator wiring malfunction.