1999 Astro won't start

My Astro will not start right now. The fuel pump can be heard and there is fuel in the return line. There is spark going to the plugs. It has done this before and for no reason, it will suddently start and run fine. Last time it didn't start for 2 weeks and one day I tried it and it started and ran fine. Sometimes it will not start in the morning and start in the afternoon. Once it starts, there is no problem starting during the day and no problems running. The only times that it doesn't start is in the morning. I thought maybe something with the engine temperature sensor but seems to be working. The engine will turn over fine and at adequate rpms. It will sometimes here some backfire at the intake but not too much. Another thing I noticed is that when I am cranking it, it sometimes seems to lose current and will stop cranking for about half a second. Checked connections and everything seems fine. I have been reading about other Astros but the only difference is that mine will start all of a sudden. Any suggestions?

Check your Ignition Switch for burnt terminals.

Looks like we are on the same track. That's on the agenda today after making sure that the fuel pressure was good. I was checking wires this morning and it suddenly started again. I'm wondering if the switch is also responsible for my driver's side window only opening in spurts.

My 99 astro would not start yesterday morning and then in the afternoon it seemed fine. I changed the fuel filter and I thought all was fine. This morning my wife called me and says it seems like it is not getting enough fuel. Has your problem went away? Is the ignition switch burning out common? Thanks.

I checked the van again and the TPS was not working. I replaced it and it was running fine. We went on a weekend trip and did not have problems with it. After I did not turn on the van for about 36 hours, it did not want to start again. It turned on again after many times trying. Last time it took a while to turn on again and it didn't run smoothly. The other day it didn't want to start even though my wife had just arrived from the store with it. It would always start during the day if it was already in use. Now I'm back at square one. The fuel pressure is fine and there is a spark. It only leaves me to think that something with the timing or a sensor went bad.

I needed to add that I also replaced the ignition switch but it didn't make a difference.

I needed to add that I also replaced the ignition switch but it didn't make a difference.

Same symptoms with my 1997... tell me you figured it out! Thanks for a reply.

Hi,
Don't know if this is related, but I have a similar problem with my Mazda Etude. Has happend 3 times now and always in the morning. Will turn over but not start. The first time it started only after I removed the fuel pump (inside the fuel tank) and put the same pump back in. The second time was about a month later (after being driven every day). I replaced the fuel filter (very dirty) but would still not start. When opening the fuel tank to remove the pump, I noticed that some pressure was released from the tank. I started the car up and it started and ran fine for 2 days. This morning the same happend but there was no pressure in the fuel tank (tank was full). I disconnected the wires to the fuel pump, turned the engine over a few times, then connected the wires and the car started. It seems to me to be a problem with some pressure buildup near the injectors. This is a very puzzling problem.

I have the same problem with my 99 astro. Would turn over but would not start. Fuel gauge said 60 lbs. Distributer wire lit me up, so I know there is spark. Tried to start it several times during the day. Final got agrivated and just held the key, it ended up starting. There was no gas smell like it was flooded. I think there wasnt enough fuel to start it.
I have been driving it with no problems since. Infact, I pulled my atv and trailer140 miles the next day. If anyone has found a cure, I am all ears or eyes.

I had a similar problem. I found the fuel pump had a dead spot ( upon taking it apart). I replaced it with an aftermarket new one and have had no problems since ( 30,000 miles ago ). NAPA has a new pump for ~$210.00

If the problem only happens on the first start of the day, you might have a bad temp sensor.

I checked the temp sensor and it works as it's supposed to. I still have doubts that it's the fuel pump since the fuel pressure is fine when it doesn't want to start. This morning it turned on fine even though it wasn't turned on last night. I guess the van is just moody.

you may have a bad crank sensor they are 90 dollars at the dealer. I recently had a bad rotor botton on my 2001 astro. It had been on for a year then one day it would not start on the first try then it went to as many as 3 tries before it would start then i went out of town and it sat for two days and i had to crank it to death before it did finally start. Then one day im drivin down the hiway and it quits and i had to tow it. after replaceing spark plugs and wires and the crank sensor it all came down to the rotor botton not conducting the spark. I replace it with exact same rotor botton and had the exact same problem it would not start and there was no spark. Well it turns out that i bought a WELLS product and it was defective two. So i went out and spent 50 bucks on a conrad cap and rotor and now it runs fine. Hope some of this will help someone.

I have a 2001 that had a problem starting it would just turn over. It was the security bypass and a corroded fuse under the hood. To check the bypass, turn key to on and open drivers door, leave key on and door open for about 15 -20 mins. this will reset the bypass. While your waiting open the hood and remove and replace the fuses this will help clean the contacts. This worked for me.

Could not start the van. Seemed like a water-fuel mix, so I used dry-gas and fuel injecter cleaner. After an hour and a half of waiting, it started, and lasted for a whole two days!!

Stopped hard at 70-mph. Cranked it over many times with some smoke and a back-fire, coming to a stop on an Interstate pulling a trailer after 7 pm. Towed to a garage ... Garage found the coil was going BAD, and felt it was probably going bad for awhile, only notice-able in the rain, damp mornings, etc., when moisture would intermittently short coil.

Replacing the coil wasn't enough. Through all that cranking, I forced raw gas into the crank-case and fouled the plugs ... so after a coil, distributor cap, plug wires, plugs, a fuel filter and an oil change IT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING GREAT!!!