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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Starting/Stalling/Idling Problems

210 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 10:37 AM

You are in the GMC Safari & Chevy Astro Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Astro, Fuel System, Van


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Messages Page 21 of 22

#197 of 210 Astro/Safari doesn't start after it rains? Try this. by gzilla5

Nov 08, 2011 (10:14 pm)

I"ve wrestled with this problem for about a year now. I've replaced the plugs, wires, tps sensor,
distributor cap, rotor, distributor gear, and fuel pump. I bought the fuel pump online and it turned out to be a piece of crap. Too bad I threw the old one out it turns out there was nothing wrong with it. I had the hesitation problem which the distributor gear fixed. When I removed the distributor to change the gear i marked it so as to not mess up the timing but when i went to put it back in I noticed the marks I made wouldn't line up. I suppose that worn gear threw the timing slightly off because now it runs fine when it starts. Now as for the not starting in humid or rainy weather problem the trick is to remove the distributor cap and cover the screws holding the rotor down with some silicone. After doing the latest round of troubleshooting i noticed spark from the coil wire but no spark out of the cap to the plugs. I removed the cap again and i noticed some arc marks on the screws holding the rotor down so i screwed it down tightly and topped off the screws with some silicone. It's been raining for a few days here in San Diego and i have not had that problem again. In short new distributor gear equals no hesitation, more power and better gas mileage. Silicone on rotor screws equals starts. Hope this helps you.

#198 of 210 Re: 1994 Astro stalls [spfldo] by chevykid1

Nov 15, 2011 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: spfldo (Nov 10, 2010 10:53 am)
what cap gas cap distriburator cap?

#199 of 210 My van hasn't missed a start since by gzilla5

Nov 18, 2011 (10:08 pm)

I posted my fix for the no start problem on my van about ten days ago and even though it's been raining a bit down here i haven't had a problem since. i believe that in rainy/humid weather there is a build up of humidity in the distributor cap. This causes the spark to take the easier path to ground through the rotor screws. This is why the problem always seems to be fixed after replacing the cap and/or rotor only to return again. With the distributor cap removed locate the two screws holding the rotor down. Apply enough silicone to the screw heads to thoroughly cover them. Give it time to dry. It shouldn't take long. Now reinstall the distributor cap and wires. I hope this works for you. Please post if it does. Thanks.

#200 of 210 problem was solved by bwgmcvan

Nov 18, 2011 (10:53 pm)

it was the ignition coil, the van ran fine after the installation. I sold the van earlier this year , she didn't owe me a dime and served me well.
 
thanks for the helpful information, I really appreciated the input,
 
B,

#201 of 210 ok my turn hahaha by kingoftko

Feb 14, 2012 (9:22 am)

I bough an 89 astro van from a friend back in august. Its a 6 cylinder and it was sitting in his yard for about 2 years. I replaced the battery and altenator and off i went. In october the van wouldnt start for like 20 mins, would turn over with the starter but that was it. Then the problem got worse. Instead of just not starting now it will cut off mid drive suddenly with no warning whether im accelerating or not. I get no sputtering or anything. The only reason i know its off is when i push the gas pedal and get nothing hahaha. This is really scary when your doing 40 miles per hour!!!! And then i cant get it to start again for a while and even if i do get it started it can do it all over again right away or wait a month to happen again.
Ive replaced the plugs, wires, altenator, battery, entire distributor spindle (cap, module, rotor)
I know he replaced the fuel pump and egr valve before he parked in his yard 2 years ago, and he also had a bunch of other work done. A buddy of mine is trying to trouble shoot and said that maybe the TCC sensor or something can be making this happen.
 
Any ideas are greatly appreciated

#202 of 210 Re: ok my turn hahaha [kingoftko] by needhelpinpa

Feb 15, 2012 (4:20 am)

Replying to: kingoftko (Feb 14, 2012 9:22 am)
OK, This may be a long shot but my 94 would die suddenly or not even start. Upon investigating I also had no headlights and heard no fuel pump start up noise when I turned the key. Turns out part of my fuse panel was not getting juice. Why? Because on the astro behind the battery is a main wire plug connector that goes bad and can send juice through 1,2,or3 of the 4 wires. I found which one, hot wired it and I'm good to go. Just a possibility for you maybe.
Ted

#203 of 210 Tranny noise by needhelpinpa

Feb 15, 2012 (4:25 am)

94 awd astro. Makes a noise in tranny like something rubbing on flywheel. Nothing, all seems clear. Tranny dies a year later and the noise is right there from the beginning even with a different tranny. Mechanic baffled. Any suggestions? Thank you.

#204 of 210 starting problem by ccherdrem43701

Sep 21, 2012 (10:03 am)

OK I have a 2000 GMC Safari Van and I am having problems, Recently had problems with starting so we changed the fuel pump but it only ran for about 14 days, now it won't start again, Any suggestions? Desperate to get this fixed.

#205 of 210 Re: My van hasn't missed a start since [gzilla5] by edonaldson

Oct 05, 2012 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: gzilla5 (Nov 18, 2011 10:08 pm)
This has been a problem for me now for over 4 years. I have been told that it is a problem with distributor placement and overheating causes small cracks in the cap and that it means replacing every year?Mechanic Friend just told me that it is probably the wrong distributor and he will check the model in my van (he is a GMC mechanic) -In the meantime I will try your fix-thanks

#206 of 210 1999 CHEVY ASTRO by swiftone559

Dec 07, 2012 (1:22 pm)

MY ASTRO WONT START CRANKS OVER ,REPLACED IGNITION COIL,DIST CAP AND ROTOR,WIRES AND PLUGS I HAVE A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE SWIFTONE559 IS MY CHANNEL ANYONE PLZ HELP

Messages Page 21 of 22

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