90 Lumina APV 3.1 Cranks won't fire! Please help I'm losing my mind!! :)

[Genie808]

I have a 1990 Chevy Lumina APV with a 3.1L. It has been having the same problem for weeks. It will crank but not start. It seems to not be getting any spark. If I would go out and fiddle with the wires and distributor then let it sit for about 15 minutes it would usually start. I thought it needed new plugs and wires. Well....I have replaced plugs, wires, ignition coil, pick up coil, distributor cap and rotor, ignition control module. Basically have rebuilt the distributor. It is still doing the same thing...cranks, but will not fire. I checked injectors and when trying to start gas flows freely. In the past 6 months I have replaced the MAP sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump and screen. This van is driving me nuts! I have no one to work on this but my father who is getting up there in age. I am a pretty knowledgeable woman, but this takes the cake for me! Please HELP! THANKS! You can email me at [email protected] if you prefer!

[thecommi]

Good thing the Oil pressure sensor is hooked into the main computer right? ....... sorry didnt mean to come off like that. I've seen this situation many of times, rebuild the sensory system in the car and still wont start. The oil pressure sensor may be faulty, If the computer doesnt get a good reading while cranking from the pressure sensor, it wont start to prevent engine damage if no oil is present.

[ciras3]

Hi,

Maybe twice a year my van won't start like this. I do get a code every once in a while indicating that the crankshaft position sensor is mis-communicating with the ECM. If I let it sit for a while it will start right up as it seems your van is doing. If you have a shop manual read up on the crankshaft position sensor. I do see where you have replaced a lot of parts on your van. Be advised that just because you think you are installing brand new parts, you can't rule out that brand new parts right out of the box can be bad. Also, brand new parts fail. Many of the ignition parts you mentioned can easily be diagnosed as good or bad with a simple Volt/Ohm meter. Are you getting any DTC codes stored in your memory?

C. Smith

[fatherof3]

Remember to check the fuel pump relay under the dash. I had one go bad on me also, and that is exactly what it does. It looks just like a flasher relay. They are rectangular in shape. There will be a set of 3 in a row. fuel pump relay, cooling fan relay, air conditioning compressor relay.

They are in the engine compartment and I think they are black. The fuel pump relay, I am pretty sure is the farthest away at the end of the row of 3.
Change it. I think you will be surprised.