99expressman

Happy Holidays ALL,
My 2nd visit here:
I HAVE A 1999 EXPRESS 1500- v-6-4.3L 125,000 mi on it-- 3 weeks ago she would crank but not start- later in the day it started right up as soon as I turned the key- I suspected a bad fuel pump because it sounded like no fuel and since high mileage and the pump didn't cycle on- OK got a new pump- emptied most of the tank(-it was full-)drove it over to mechanic & had it installed by mechanic-Old pump was in bad shape- installed a New OEM pump by the way- worked great started right up -ran even smoother-no problems at all since new installation--3 wks passed now-- yesterday Sunday I get in van to start it--engine cranked but wouldn't turn over .Sounded just like it did before I put new pump in-- I was in my driveway yard-So I called Triple A- just to see - he cked out Battery (from 2010)- Battery was still great- He went underneath van and told me to start it- all it would do was crank and not start- He said -"it sounds like it could be a fuel issue or a poor spark"-and i smell gas fumes-- That's all he could do but offer me a tow to a repair station- I belayed that and sent him on his way. I just filled the tank on Sat at my usual station-did errands, the day before- no problems -van runs great-All day Sun Van doesn't start up-- Today-Monday I get in van and it starts right up on first turn of the Key!- as a matter of fact I started it 2 more times and moved it around the yard- not to take a chance of getting stuck someplace I used my other car- Tune up was done in 2012 at 100,000--new starter 2011-- so any suggestions of what to check/diagnose by the numbers- I have a OBD II- I'm handy-before I take it to a station before spending more bucks this Holiday Season
Thanks -99expressman

canucklehead

Check under the cap for corroded pins. Happens to these vans. Clean all 8 pins with emery cloth and the rotor too. I have to do mine once or twice a year. Cool moist air condenses under the cap and makes for crappy starting.

99expressman

Ok thks good info-someplace to start - I'll try that when the sun comes out- Brrr... today up here in NE- I might not get a chance till the weekend-gets dark here early by the time i get home from work- I've had this van since New and this is the first time I ever had this problem- I'll be cking your suggestion out and post results.
PS--I remember my sister's first car- A old Ford galaxy-It had a Thunderbird engine in it- we had to do that almost every time it rained or damp weather-and she got proficient at it; wiping the cap dry inside by herself til she got a Chevy caprice & sold the Ford to a kid at school who wanted the engine-Ha

99expressman

Happy Holidays,

update>>weather- warmed up a little so I pulled the cap & rotor- yep- that was the problem- installed a new OEM set- started on the first turn-Dug out my personal car book log I keep and it was overdue- I did one at 100,000 mi - now it was 122,500;rode from Pa to NY-no problems-- Never realized how time flies-- Thanks for your help
I have been re-born- to pay more attention like I used to do.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! 99expressman

canucklehead

Keep the old cap and rotor, and just use some emery cloth to clean up the points. Then you can swap them every year or so for free. It seems to be a recurring issue....

Pourgirl_gone_hiking

Hi, can you tell me what you mean by cleaning the pins under the cap? I know this was posted years ago, but I have this EXACT problem. So hoping to get some answers as to what pins. Thank you in advance.

mountainmanjoe

@Pourgirl_gone_hiking
Turn the cap over. It's the metal bits that conduct electricity

Pourgirl_gone_hiking

Thanks so much!!