GMC Safari resurrection

Website Contact the business

GMC Safari resurrection Here you can follow the progress, as we aim to restore a 1994 GMC Safari back to its full glory.

17/10/2026

Turns out the spare I had was for the side sensor (gauge) not the front one 🤦.
Luckily I managed to find the right part on Amazon. Try again tomorrow 🤷.

Short lived victory.Crank but no start from cold today.Only thing left to change is the engine coolant temperature senso...
16/10/2026

Short lived victory.
Crank but no start from cold today.
Only thing left to change is the engine coolant temperature sensor.
The research suggests that a combination of the ECT sensor and the ECU makes the decision based on temp as to how much fuel it gives for start up. Like an automatic choke.
Learning new things every day here.
Luckily I bought a spare one last year. So tomorrow's job.
Fingers crossed this solves it. If not, I'm outta ideas and parts to replace.

Well, the old radiator is out and finally new one in. So far so good, twice round the block and the idle has sorted itse...
15/10/2026

Well, the old radiator is out and finally new one in. So far so good, twice round the block and the idle has sorted itself thanks to the ECU relearning. A few local test runs needed next. Check fluids again. I need to regain my trust in him again.
Spraying the fittings earlier this week, for the oil cooler and trans cooler helped... They actually came undone without too much stress. Only issue was a seized bolt on the bottom fan cowl, but that was a minor hindrance in comparison to what could have gone wrong.
Safe to say, the old rad was knackered.

Positive news to start with, RA are sending me a replacement radiator.Removed the IAC yesterday, cleaned it and refitted...
04/10/2026

Positive news to start with, RA are sending me a replacement radiator.
Removed the IAC yesterday, cleaned it and refitted. No change. The van starts but won't idle without a tickle of throttle.
So now everything is on hold till the new radiator is here and fitted. Can't run the engine up to temp for the computer to potentially relearn the idle settings until I have a working coolant system.
But the problem now either seems to be that the IAC valve has failed internally or I am yet again chasing a mystery problem around the engine like a headless chicken .

Plugs removed and cleaned today. Starts up ok again. Still need to sort the low idle/stalling.... IAC and EGR clean next...
02/10/2026

Plugs removed and cleaned today. Starts up ok again. Still need to sort the low idle/stalling.... IAC and EGR clean next I think.

New radiator arrived from America today.
Couldn't make this up. 😔
Waiting on RA response for a replacement. ⏰

Looks like the other side was in even worse condition.New radiator arriving Friday.Need some good luck for a change now ...
28/09/2026

Looks like the other side was in even worse condition.

New radiator arriving Friday.

Need some good luck for a change now please.

A bit of positivity for today. Replaced one of the upper control arms today. It's safe to say the old ones were a long w...
26/09/2026

A bit of positivity for today. Replaced one of the upper control arms today.

It's safe to say the old ones were a long way past having seen better days.

Other side still to do, once I can turn the van around.

Update on the continuous saga that is called Blue.Replaced the ICM, he starts again! Tickover is a little low and trying...
26/09/2026

Update on the continuous saga that is called Blue.
Replaced the ICM, he starts again! Tickover is a little low and trying to stall, but hoping that will rectify itself when the computer re-learns itself.

Good news..... It's not the upper manifold gaskets leaking.
Bad news... Blue needs a new radiator.

🎢

Address

Barnsley

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GMC Safari resurrection posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to GMC Safari resurrection:

Shortcuts

Share