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Old 11-26-2014, 12:42 PM   #1
Thor1993
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1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

Hi Guys,
I have a 1998 Astro Cargo Van, 2wd, 4.3L with 142K miles. A few days ago I notice the volt meter on dash was erractic (mostly 14V but sometimes 11v). Then two days ago for the last mile it shifted funny then missed and then it died a mile from home. I towed it home took battery out to charge and get tested, battery checked OK, took alternator in to test and it failed, re- installed rebuilt alternator and now the van will only crank about 1 second then stops and will not turn over engine. If you try again it will not turn engine over at all. If you wait an hour or so it will crank for 1 second again. Just for info- the headlights are bright and only dim a little when cranking, I get 12 volts at ground cable where it attaches to the engine. I removed started and tested it while hanging from engine with a ground cable it spins freely when the key is moved to start.

So I am baffled!
Is this a spark issue where it is so advanced it won't let starter crank engine?
Did timing chain jump causing timing to be way advanced? Or doesn't' this happen with computers now
Is it hydraulic lock from bad intake or head gasket?

Any ideas where to start??

I am leaning towards removing plugs and see if it will crank.
Thanks, Greg
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Old 11-26-2014, 05:36 PM   #2
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

Update

I took off the serpentine belt to check if a accessory was frozen and all pulleys turn.

I put a jumper cable from positive battery directly to starter and no luck.

I put a jumper cable from negative battery directly to starter housing and no luck.

I tried to turn flex plate through the hole in the bottom of bell housing. I could not budge the flex plate.

Can a transmission lock up?? or did the engine seize?

Any thoughts??

Thanks, Greg
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:33 PM   #3
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

My 94 did exactly the same- could not budge flywheel- and it was hydrolocked- due to severe gas leakage into lower intake manifold-pull your spark plugs- start with middle one on passenger siide- see if gas spurts out when you turn flywheel with a screwdriver -prying it. I had a leak in plastic line that feeds spider assembly. You have to pull off upper intake plenum to find it.

The reason I say number 4 cylinder is that there are two bypass passages that are allow flow into the middle cylinders.....
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Old 11-26-2014, 10:33 PM   #4
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

Update # 2

Thanks for input brcidd

I just pulled all 6 spark plugs and it made no difference.

So maybe the trans?

or the value train, I guess I should run a compression test while plugs are out even if motor is cold?
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Old 11-27-2014, 09:07 AM   #5
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

I've seen torque converter bolt come loose and interfer with back of engine - try turning engine backwards...
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'99 IH 4700 Toy Hauler
(2) '95 GEO Prizms both maroon
'99 GMC Yukon
'95 Chev 3500, 454 Dually Crew Cab- 145k miles-
Wife's Camel trailer puller.
'94 Astro- 370k miles
'94 Firebird Formula- 5.7L 180k miles- gone-
'92 Chevy Lumina Van 3.8L 264k
'86 GMC S-15 - 2.8L 154k
'87 Buick Park Ave . 187k
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Old 11-27-2014, 12:28 PM   #6
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

I wasn't thinking... I can't run a compression test because engine won't turn over...

I am now thinking I must pull trans out and see if it cranks. Then I will know if seizure is in trans or motor.
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Old 11-29-2014, 06:52 PM   #7
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Re: 1998 Astro won't crank more than a few degrees

Well... bad news for me. Its a seized motor. Motor won't turn even with trans off. So we decided to scrap the van. This is a Michigan van with 17 years of rust, a broken windshield and it needs a fuel pump so it is not worth fixing. If it was a pick-up truck, sure since it would be a much easier job to switch motors but in a van too much work.
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