2000 Astro Van won't crank or start

Hi, I've never had any problems with my 2000 Astro before. Drove it last night. This morning, I go to start it and it started up for a fraction of a second and then died. I tried again and it started up for a fraction of a second and died again. I tried a third time and nothing; nothing cranks over. I charged the battery and checked the connections and fuses and still nothing. It won't turn over or make any kind of sound. Radio, door locks, dome light, all seem to work. I don't believe the headlights come on either (they always come on when you start it up), but it's a bit hard for me to determine, as I'm by myself. Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you.

Strange. I tried it again an hour or so later and it started to turn over, a little rough, but started, with some greyish smoke coming out the tailpipe, that disappeared after a few minutes. It's a low-mileage van, so I've never seen any visible smoke before.

The issue is likely electrical, and has little to do with the exhaust smoking. The smoke is probably just a manifestation of the problem, with residual fuel and atmospheric moisture burning off once the engine finally started. Tracking down the no-start condition should be the focus now.

When the engine would not crank, did the rest of the electrical system appear to operate normally? Did the temperature gauge go to full scale while attempting to crank? Did the instrument panel warning lamps illuminate?

FWIW, the DRL (headlights) will only turn on after the ignition switch is returned to the RUN position, so the fact that they apparently did not light may have no relevance.

Don't overlook the main positive power connection at the underhood electrical center (the stud).

When the engine would not crank, did the rest of the electrical system appear to operate normally? Did the temperature gauge go to full scale while attempting to crank? Did the instrument panel warning lamps illuminate?

FWIW, the DRL (headlights) will only turn on after the ignition switch is returned to the RUN position, so the fact that they apparently did not light may have no relevance.

Don't overlook the main positive power connection at the underhood electrical center (the stud).
Thanks for the note.

The fuel and ampmeter gauges worked but the car had been sitting over night, so the temp gauge did not show a reading. The warning lights on the panel DID illuminate.

Yes, you are right about the headlights! I realized how they function once I was able to drive the car last night.

This Main Positive Power Connection, is this what plugs into the underhood fuse box?

I always get concerned when things fix themselves, LOL!

Thanks again.

Even on cranking, the temperature gauge indicator should travel to full scale. It's a gauge test function.

There should be a large (about AWG 4) cable from the battery to the main power stud on the underhood electrical center. There are two smaller (about AWG 10) wires from the secondary feeds to other loads.

Even on cranking, the temperature gauge indicator should travel to full scale. It's a gauge test function.

There should be a large (about AWG 4) cable from the battery to the main power stud on the underhood electrical center. There are two smaller (about AWG 10) wires from the secondary feeds to other loads.

Thanks for the follow up post.

I, honestly, can't remember if the temp gauge travelled when I tried to crank it and it wouldn't crank. If I had to bet, I would say it didn't.

I know the cable and wires you are speaking of. They seem to be clean and corrosion free. Is there something I should do with these that you can recommend?

I drove it again tonight without any problems. I will try and schedule with the dealer this week so they can run a check on it to see if they can tell me what went wrong.

Thanks again for your kind assistance.

Just my 2 cents....
Could this be an indication of those "fusible links", behind the battery acting up? (corrosion)