88 Astro will not start

looked at several threads and can not seem to find my problem. Was driving down road and van lost power then died, it kinda sounded like it back fired before it stoped. It had no spark at first. Checked coil and modual. Modual was dead so I replaced it, am getting spark now but it still will not start. Changed spark plug, rotor and dist. cap. Still no luck. It is a 6cyl. Z vin.. Rented OBD code mach. throws no codes. The starter does not kick in all the time it just spins. Could it be that or my worst fear the timming chain????

Check under the distributor cap; have a helper or someone watch the rotor position while you (or helper :cool:) rotate the crank at the crank pulley -- good size bolt you'll need 1/2" drive socket, extension and breaker bar. While rotating the crank (BTW, disconnect battery + is probably the safe thing) maybe 30-45 degrees one way, then back the other way see if the rotor follows the rotations accurately. If the rotor pauses for a while when changing directions on the crank rotations you may have some chunked teeth on one of the timing sprockets. If that's ok, make sure you are getting fuel (do you hear the in-tank fuel pump prime when you turn key to "on" position for 2 sec or so?). Check if '88's with OBD 1 used a crank position sensor, if they don't send signal to the computer you will not run. You should see wires and a connector somewhere around the periphery of the crank pulley. I hope some of this helps, I'm not to up on OBD 1 stuff.
Good luck:wink:

Tried what you said and all checks out ok. I did put a new starter on atleast it cranks all the times I try now, I could not find a crank pos. sensor and no wires leading to such. It still does not start... Anymore sugestions?????

Well, that's very good news that your crank is spinning the camshaft which spins the distributor shaft, so your timing chain fears are releived! Almost positive you don't have a crank position sensor, my '87 Camaro does not either, another item not to be concerned with.

Since you replaced most of the spark related hardware already, and checked spark, it may be time to move on to checking fuel delivery. Do you hear the fuel pump whine for about 2 seconds when you turn the key just to the on position (don't go to start position)? If not, the pump or the relay for the pump is failed. If you do hear it run, you should also check for fuel at the fuel rail up by the throttle body, there should be a schrader valve where you can thread in a pressure gage or even just check to see if fuel is present by pushing in the needle, if nothing squirts out it definitely won't start but the best check is a fuel pressure gage (I bought a cheap one at Harbor Freight, I'm embarrased to say, as its a China import junk store, but it was $10 and works quite well!) during the prime cycle. I hope this helps, because that's about the extent of my experience. Good luck!

Ok, tried the fuel thing with the breather off I can see the fuel squirting into the carb. and still no luck on starting, matter of fact if I keep trying to start it you can smell gas real strong, I went ahead and checked the timming chain anyway it was one tooth off and the chain was real loose so I set the marks like the book says and put a new chain on still nothing. I'm begaining to think it is hopeless :banghead: if it was my veh. I would keep the fuel going then take up smoking again!!!! HA..... Anyway if someone out there has anything else to try please let me know..... Thanks for you help usa1qman...

Unhook the injectors 2 connectors, pull the plugs, turn it over a little to help dry the cyl's out. After letting it sit for a while, put the plugs back in (clean I hope). Try to start it with a shot of carb cleaner down the TBI (dont hook injectors back up), if it fires you either have a fuel issue or delivery issue (sticky/ leaky injectors.) or no fuel pressure. The $10 HF pressure tester does not have fittings for GM TBI injection, you will either have to fab something or buy a differnt kit.