92 Odd Starting Problems . .Fuel Pump?

4 cylinder model . .not sure of the size . .let me try to explain this one . hope it makes sense . .

ok the van runs fine without a hitch for various intervals . .then it seems like when my wife uses the big side sliding door, it will not start. It will turn over and over but never starts . .I have checked obvious like spark, fuel in tank, loose connections under hood etc. . .but after reading about where the fuel pump is located, I haven't messed with that . .what it seems like to me is the vibration of the big sliding door being closed causes a short or some sort perhaps to the pump. .you can open and close the big door, and then rock the van and the thing will start up . .I don't think the fuel pump is the problem . .but maybe power to the fuel pump or something. I know this sounds crazy, but this is what we are experiencing . .sometimes it seemed like if we let it sit, it would later start . but in rethinking that, it started after we slammed a door or something . .havent had the problem in months . .then yesterday, the big door was used, no starting . .it later started for my wife after she rummaged around inside then slammed the doors . .so she used it and went and unloaded some stuff . .using the sliding door . .boom, it would not start. I get there today after work . .check everything, try starting . .it just turns over and over . .I open the sliding door and shut it hard, rock the van while I am still by the door . .boom it starts . .. this is crazy and obviously has me worried about her being stranded or something.

Can someone please offer some advice on something to check .. is there a fuse that drives the fuel pump, should you hear the pump engage and run when the ignition is on . .something . I am in a small town with little resources.

Thanks in advance.

Phil

This does sound like the fuel pump. But first make that your fuel filter is clean it a cheap part and you can change it yourself. You can also check the pump at the line that goes to the filter to see if it pumping. Open the line at the filter run it into a pan to see if it is working. Ride On, digimon

This does sound like the fuel pump. But first make that your fuel filter is clean it a cheap part and you can change it yourself. You can also check the pump at the line that goes to the filter to see if it pumping. Open the line at the filter run it into a pan to see if it is working. Ride On, digimon

Thanks for the reply . .pardon the stupidity, but where is the fuel filter located? The lines to the carb are factory crimped style and I have no idea how to remove those to check those. Appreciate the help.

phil

I think that your fuel filter is under the van on the drivers side about halfway between the tank and the engine. It's about 1 1/2" in diamitor x 2' long. Follow the fuel line back. Brake lines don't have this. Ride On, digimon

I have a V6 3.3 engine that has the same fuel problem. Works fine for months, then with out warning it wont start. Doesn't matter if you just drove 1 or 1030 miles. Turn the key on and rock the van and you can hear the fule pump start. What final cured your problem?

When this problem acurred on my 88' it was the fuel pump, it run fine after I replaced it. It started as an intermitten problem. Kind of like there was a loose wire or something, but got worse and worse. The pump is not always running at all times even when it working properly. So it can make you think that it is not working even when it is. Check it by disconnected the fuel line and making sure that it has a constant flow. Don't let the gas get all over the engine possible fire. Ride On, digimon