91 Astro Van Fuel Pump Problems

We drove the van home and went out to start next morning and it would turn over but would not start. My husband checked the throttle body, put on a new relay, and then determined it was the fuel pump..He replaced it and still would not start. Thought that was bad so he took it back and got a replacement. Still will not start! Fuel pump is running but is not pumping fuel up to start it. Please help--he is driving me nuts! Thanks:banghead:

We drove the van home and went out to start next morning and it would turn over but would not start. My husband checked the throttle body, put on a new relay, and then determined it was the fuel pump..He replaced it and still would not start. Thought that was bad so he took it back and got a replacement. Still will not start! Fuel pump is running but is not pumping fuel up to start it. Please help--he is driving me nuts! Thanks:banghead:

Can not help on the husband part.:grinyes:
How much gas does the tank have in it?
Have you checked the fuel pressure and or fuel filter.
If the pump is running and tank has enough gas and the fuel pump is coupled good to the sending unit with the rubber hose connector it should be pumping gas or fuel pressure.

We drove the van home and went out to start next morning and it would turn over but would not start. My husband checked the throttle body, put on a new relay, and then determined it was the fuel pump..He replaced it and still would not start. Thought that was bad so he took it back and got a replacement. Still will not start! Fuel pump is running but is not pumping fuel up to start it. Please help--he is driving me nuts! Thanks:banghead:

If you have a running fuel pump you should be able to detect fuel coming out of the injectors at the throttle body--I had a simular problem on mine when I did not mount the new fuel pump on crrectly and cracked it when I bolted the tank back on----If he bought a fuel pump kit some of the hoses may not be hooked up correctly on the pump itself. I would squirt some starter fluid into the throttle body first to make sure I have a fuel delivery problem and take it from there.

The tank was full of gas when he started. He has already taken it off and drained it 3 times, so probably lost some of it. He has now decided to take it out again and go and by a whole new pump (3rd) and sending unit. Hope that works, this has been going on for 3 days. Thank you for your help. I will go tell him what you suggested.:wink:

He said he did that. (Starter fluid) Still will not run. Tank has plenty of gas, it is not pumping thru the line. Checked and lines are clear, new fuel filter, etc.????

Generally a new fuel pump will pump fuel through the lines unless it's not getting power--After checking the bobvious---fuse controlling fuel pump, relay and hose connections at the pump--I would put my ear near the gas inlet (with the gas cap off) and turn the key to the on position (without cranking it)---the 91's do not make as much noise as the later models but none the less you can hear that sucker hummmmmmm until pressure is stable in the fuel lines....about two seconds. If no humming can be heard, no fuel pumping is going on ....then begin to check voltage and connections (electrical) at the fuel pump. Then of coarse ck the simple things such as fuses---relay---broke wires ---if your husband is like me--anything is possible as i have four astro/safari vans and have ripped em all apart and cursed em ten times over--good luck! Maybe one of the pros here will respond and solve your problem as this shade tree speaks only from experience....

He said he did that. (Starter fluid) Still will not run. Tank has plenty of gas, it is not pumping thru the line. Checked and lines are clear, new fuel filter, etc.????

If there is power to the electrical connector that plugs in to the pump itself I would buy a new unit becuause it will reduce the chance anything can go wrong within the pump wiring or fuel connectors---look here please
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FUEL-PUMP-CHEVROLET-ASTRO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33555QQihZ019QQit emZ8076235756QQrdZ1

If you buy a kit - theoretically it will work--but if you have a bad sending unit or if another connector within the pump itself is bad many frustrating days of "why" will ensue--a kit usually comes like this and you have to disassemble and reconnect within the old housing http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-FUEL-PUMP-CHEVROLET-ASTRO-85-94-EP386-25168719_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33555QQihZ003Q QitemZ130036265200QQrdZ1

Just a thought that once worked for me!

Well, he got the 3rd fuel pump on and it is pumping--still the van won't start! Any suggestions now??? Where is the fuse located? Could it be that>? I know nothing about mechanics. Please help-desperate wife~~~

Well, he got the 3rd fuel pump on and it is pumping--still the van won't start! Any suggestions now??? Where is the fuse located? Could it be that>? I know nothing about mechanics. Please help-desperate wife~~~

If you have fuel pressure the next step is to check for good fire to all spark plugs.
On fuses check all fuses in the fuse box and there should be a fuse for the PCM and or injectors.
If you can find ECM-B or ECM-1 check real close.
When engine is cranking check for the injectors squarting fuel.
Get a test light and turn key on and listen for the fuel pump 30 second prime up.
Then see if all major fuses are hot with key on.
Then crank engine and check for good hot spark to plugs on 3 or more.

If you have fuel pressure the next step is to check for good fire to all spark plugs.
On fuses check all fuses in the fuse box and there should be a fuse for the PCM and or injectors.
If you can find ECM-B or ECM-1 check real close.
When engine is cranking check for the injectors squarting fuel.
Get a test light and turn key on and listen for the fuel pump 30 second prime up.
Then see if all major fuses are hot with key on.
Then crank engine and check for good hot spark to plugs on 3 or more.

MT-2500 is right on--The fuel injectors in the TBI should be squirting fuel and should be easy to see with a flashlight or even without. If it is squiting fuel then check fo a spark at the plug or with the doghouse off at the distributor cap--pull a wire off and hold it with a pair of rubber handled pliers near the plug or terminal on the dist cap and crank it for a couple of seconds (be careful as a hole in the rubber pliers or a hand placed in the wrong area will light you up) if you see a spark then something should be happening-- gasoline + spark = fire--- If no spark then listen to MT-2500 as he knows what he is talking about.

:smokin: :smokin: Thanks to all of you for your help! He is not going to be able to work on it again until the weekend but hopefully it will run again! He thinks it may be the throttle body injectors! (I know nothing about any of this)

:smokin: :smokin: Thanks to all of you for your help! He is not going to be able to work on it again until the weekend but hopefully it will run again! He thinks it may be the throttle body injectors! (I know nothing about any of this)

You are welcome and Good luck.
Let us know how it goes.
MT

Ok, he put on a "used throttle body" and the plugs in have no fire. Any suggestions

A special thanks to MT-2500 and the rest of you! He checked the fuses finally and it was the ECM-1 fuse! He changed it and now it is running!

A special thanks to MT-2500 and the rest of you! He checked the fuses finally and it was the ECM-1 fuse! He changed it and now it is running!


You are welcome and thanks for posting back the fix and how it went.
Glad all is running and well.

Always watch real close when putting on the air breather adapter to throttle body.
The injector wire can pinch out and get shorted there and blow the fuse.
Good Luck
MT