Problem sTARTING A 2001

Ran just fine. Parked it one day. Tried to start it the next day.

Cranks and cranks. Nose to exhaust smelled of gasoline...a little bit.

Finely cranked with pedal to floor for a while and it seemed try to start. Maybe it fired a few times. But anyhow I seem to go throught this cycle.

Will doing OBD11 read help me in the right direction?

I read earlier one of the fellows here used a paper clip to get a reading on his older van ..OBD1? Where did he get his reading?

It's been years since I have worked on a vehhicle. Now I must try on my own. Thanks

a paper clip won't get you anywhere. you need a scan tool or obd2 code reader to comunicate with the computer. i'd say you flooded it... big time. first off check the oil. is the level high? does it smell like theres gas in it? was it cold out when you tried to start it?? the problem with flooding an engine is the extra gas washes the cylinder walls and you loose compression. i think this is most likely what happened. now you have to figure out why it flooded. sometimes the fuel pressure regulator leaks on those engines. it's also possible theres a problem in the ignition system.

My '97 is hard starting after it sits for several days. I'm told that the fuel piis weak. It runs fine after I get it started.
I got the same thing with the smell of gas... it seems to get some, not enough to run, (or fire), but it smells at the exhaust.
What I'm doing for now is "priming" it.
I turn the key, wait until the pump stops, (2 seconds-computer controlled), turn off the ignition, wait a bit, and prime it a few times. It will build enough fuel pressure this way to start.
I'm getting the tank empty enough so I can lower the tank to change the pump.
Great prices for a pump.... in Canada, the after market guys I phoned want about $560 or so, and GM wants $860! (parts only)
I have some trouble with most of $1000.00 (taxes included) for a fuel pump!