93 astro van driving me nuts!!

[mykey]

ok got a 93 astro van with 4.3 tbi, runs pretty good till you push the gas down and it just hesitates bad, some times it will die, take it out on the interstate and had to stop 3 time in about 5 miles to shut it down cause it started cutting in and out, when you shut it down for a little while (10 sec) and start it up it runs ok again till you start getting into the throttle heavy, sometimes it even boggs at an idle, check engine lite comes on and the goes out after a bit. I dont want to start flingging cash and parts at this thing ,is there anyone out there that has had this problem??? if so where should i start???

[RonB]

Sounds like the fuel filter may be almost stopped up. I'd change it first.

[mykey]

Originally Posted by RonB

Sounds like the fuel filter may be almost stopped up. I'd change it first.

ya that sounds like somewhere to start, i could only hope it's that simple! thx!

[mykey]

ok i changed the fuel filter and no change , then i went and bought a code key, the first code and only one that was on there was #44 it seems i have an end of year 92 engine (93 model year the eighth didget in vin is a Z . that was o2 sensor so i took it out and checked it out cleaned it and replaced, (no change), then i checked codes again after a test drive and i got a code 33 wich is map sensor, so i went out and bought one and put it in , (no change), then i cleared codes and went for a drive, now it runs a little different it has rpms way to high and wants to push you through stop signs etc, also shifts very hard,sometimes it still boggs out real bad. So then i checked codes again and this time it comes up with code 22 the other codes are gone. Code 22 is tps (throttle position sensor), wich i might agree with seeing as though this thing when parked after driving the rpms are prolly about 3000. I feel im on a wild goose chase here!!! do you think that the tps could have been the problem all along?? taking out the map sensor???? I need some input here cause this things about to meet its maker if you get my drift!!!

[sonnald]

Pull out your Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve and check its condition. My IAC gave me two of your symptoms, Intermittent High RPM and loss of power when climbing. Also had hard shifting apparently due to the RPMs. Hopes this helps!

[irab520]

Did you check your catalytic converter. Had a similar problem. Full Tune-up, Cleaned Fuel Inhectors, replaced O2 sensor (twice). Check engine light kept coming on and performance dropped off intermittently. When I shut the engine off for a minute or two everyting returned to normal. Despite rattling sound, shop insisted it wasn't CC since Computer said it was O2 sensor. Converter final disintegrated and permanently clogged the exhaust, then they new it reallly was the converter!

[mykey]

thanks im gonna check the tps first since thats what the cpu says but the ica will also be checked , ill let you know how it goes , also converter will be replaced. update prolly tomorrow since i got some work to do.

[mykey]

well i changed tps and cleaned iac and nada still doing the same thing, still comes up with code 22 (tps)??????!!!!!!!!??????

[mykey]

well anybody else got any ideas??? to bring you up to speed ,so far, new fuel filter,new map , new tps,new iac, still has high rpm ie starts up runs ok shift from park to drive and back to park rpms go through roof! punch the throttle and they go down a little then right back up, also if you punch throttle the responce is very slow and boggs out unless you release throttle then rpms go sky high again .also i should tell you that i still get 22 code for tps although its been changed.

[bcopeland]

I am quite surprised nobody recommended the fuel pump or fuel pump relay. I have an 88 Astro that did something like that to me. Replaced the in-tank fuel pump and cleared up the problems.

[chris2000s10]

fuel pump or cat converter... after you drive a while reach underneath and dont touch but feel how hot the cat is.. if you can burn your hand from about 6 inches away i'd say its plugged... if it is muffler should be fairly cool

[mykey]

well i finally did it and broke down and took it to a family mech, sorry to diappoint you all but i gotta get this thing going and i just dont have the time or the equipment, i really appreciate your posts but after doing everything i can , i half to admit when im whipped! , although i broke down and did this ill be sure to post the results of this headscratching SOB and let you all know what it was ,and hopefully save you all some $$$$$ in the furture ( the case of the runaway disastro van)

[mykey]

well folks i told you that i would get back to you once i found out everything! here it is ,the tps sensor wires had a problem so the connector was replaced, the computer was shot and the fuel pump was bad!so as you see there were multiple problems with the diastro van i was present at all the changing part times and so yes all these were bad and no smoke went up my rear just out the exhaust when the job was done!