2002 Astro won't start

Hi All,

I am new to site and in need of some help. My wifes Astro sat for two weeks while we were away on vacation. When we returned it would not start. The van turns over but then sounds like it hydraulic locks briefly. Let off the key and it will do it all over again. The van is a daily driver and has had no issues prior. I am pulling the battery and cleaning terminals before I go to deep. The fuel pump seems to cycle properly with the key the van has gas will check spark today. This is not making a lot of sense and I feel in haste I maybe over looking the obvious. Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Bart

Hi All,

I am new to site and in need of some help. My wifes Astro sat for two weeks while we were away on vacation. When we returned it would not start. The van turns over but then sounds like it hydraulic locks briefly. Let off the key and it will do it all over again. The van is a daily driver and has had no issues prior. I am pulling the battery and cleaning terminals before I go to deep. The fuel pump seems to cycle properly with the key the van has gas will check spark today. This is not making a lot of sense and I feel in haste I maybe over looking the obvious. Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Bart

Welcome to your first post on AF.
If the engine is trying to lock up when turning over?
If so you better pull all plugs and see if it has a lot of gas or coolant in the cylinders.
How is coolant level.
Does the fuel pressure bleed down real fast?
MT

I have replaced the battery air cleaner and pcv because it needed it. Still no luck if I try hard enough I can get the van to start. Hold the gas pedal wide open while turning over then flutter pedal some and it will eventually start. If you keep it running long enough it will idle. Once you get it to idle it will stumble very badly when you try to give it gas. If it stalls it is just as hard to restart. This van only has 36,000 miles on it. I believe there is a sensor sticking, but with out a computer I am just guessing. This van ran great before sitting for two weeks unused.
Thanks,
Bart

Once it does start (after all the gyrations needed to get it running) does the "CHECK ENGINE" lamp remain lit?

Once it does start (after all the gyrations needed to get it running) does the "CHECK ENGINE" lamp remain lit? yes it does. Is there a way to check the codes like the old ones with either a multimeter or jumpers in the test plug? Thank you for your help
Bart

Unfortunately, no. You'll need to use a code scanner to retrive DTCs. I have seen them for as little as $40 for a pocket-sized tester which only displays error codes (no stored freeze frame data or real-time operating data streams). Usually, just knowing the error code is sufficient hint to start in an appropriate directions, similar to the older ECM systems.

Thanks for all the help,

After a lot of over troubleshooting and misdiagnosis on my part. I found a badly corroded distributor cap and rotor. Why or how this could happen so suddenly after sitting for two weeks I do not know, but the rotor was green with corrosion. Thought I would let you all know.
Again Thanks
Bart

Thanks for the update. I would suspect that there was some accumulated moisture in the cap, and during the period it was parked it had a chance to proomte some heavy corrosion in the cap.