[drew300]

Hi Guys.
I need some thoughts.
My '97 astro runs well, but has a very hard time starting, except when i spray some starting fluid into the air cleaner area. However, if I start it every day, it works ok. (it's a 2nd vehicle)
The pump does run for the 2 seconds when the key is turned on.
I started the van and put in in the garage. I pulled the pump relay, and put an ampmeter across the contacts to get the pump running. It starts drawing about 4 amps, then ramps up to 7 amps after about 15 seconds. It does sound a little shakey, like a bad commutator, but smoothes out as the current increases. I re-did the ground wire, as it wasn't perfect. No change.
Then i borrowed a pressure guage. In the 2 seconds the pumps runs (with the key), I get 59 psi. My specs book calls for 53 to 61 psi. The van starts and runs fine, and with a blip of the gas pedal, pressure momentarily jumps to 62 or so. At idle I get a constant 52 psi. which is in spec. At turn off, I get 49 psi, which after about 6 minutes, was down to about 44 or so. I returned the guage.
I let the van sit for 2 days. No start. Someone here mentioned the need of a good battery. It was down to about 12.4 volts, not perfect, but the van cranks great. I put a charger on the battery for a couple of hours, and the van started.
To sum up. The pump sounds a little funny, but smoothes out, and does produce proper pressures. (but bleed down?)The battery is little iffy, but it cranks great, and runs the lights well. Being a used van i don't know how old the battery is.
Thoughts?
Thanks