97 G Voyager, turns over, won't start

[Harlow727]

Husband goes to leave for work, 100 yards out of the driveway the van dies. Turns over, will not start, sounds starved for gas. Eventually starts in neutral, pops it into drive and gets it back to the house. Fuel pump is working, fuses are fine, relay is fine, replaced fuel filter, and still not working. Any ideas? IAC valve went out in early July, possible connection? We have not run the air since it went out. 97 Grand Voyager 3.3, 236K
Stacey

[RIP]

This is only one possible cause. If you loose the camshaft or crankshaft sensor signal the van will crank all day, just won't start. Many times they can fail intermittently and not light the Service Engine Light (SEL). The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses these two sensors to establish the ignition and injector timing. If one is out of spec, excess pollution is produced. To prevent that, the PCM senses the erratic or missing sensor info and denergises the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay. This cuts power to the coil, injectors, and O2 sensor heaters. Fuel pump power is cut if the PCM doesn't see the engine rotating.

Check for spark using a timing light or pull a plug, ground it against the engine and crank the engine. Should see a bright blue spark. If you see no spark AND no voltage at the O2 sensor heaters I would suspect a cam or crankshaft sensor failure. They are fairly easy to change and cost around $30-$50.

[Harlow727]

Originally Posted by RIP

This is only one possible cause. If you loose the camshaft or crankshaft sensor signal the van will crank all day, just won't start. Many times they can fail intermittently and not light the Service Engine Light (SEL). Why? The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses these two sensors to establish the ignition and injector timing. If one is out of spec, excess pollution is produced. To prevent that, the PCM senses the erratic or missing sensor info and denergises the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay. This cuts power to the coil, injectors, fuel pump, and O2 sensors.

You said the fuel pump is working. Did you check pressure while the engine was cranking? The pump turns on when you turn the ignition to '"on", then turns off. When you turn the key to "start", the pump turns back on if the PCM sees the cam and crank sensor signals at the moment the engine starts to rotate. Listening for the pump with the ignition "on" doesn't test what you need to test. If you don't have a pressure gauge find the test port on the fuel rail and depress it's plunger with the ignition switch "on" to relieve pressure. Catch the fuel with a rag. Now do it again while cranking your cold engine. Fuel should squirt out and not dribble out.

Check for spark using a timing light or pull a plug, ground it against the engine and crank the engine. Should see a bright blue spark.

If both fuel and spark are missing, I'd suspect a cam or crank sensor. They are fairly easy to change and cost around $30-$50.

Thanks RIP.
SEL is already on, has been for 3 years now (due to LDP that is coding that nobody can seem to find...but when we catch it at just.the.right.time before the SEL light come back on, it passes smog beautifully) anyway...

He did not, and does not have a way to check pressure in the fuel pump. It is hissing as it should. It was replaced 2 years ago, but the filter was not.

He *says* the van has a spark, but has not tested it in either way you describe. He says it must have a spark because it turns over but will not start completely, like it is starved for gas. He is 55 miles away from home, at a family member's house, and resigned to take it for diagnostic on Thursday, which I am afraid the sensors will not code, as I have read they sometimes don't. He is without the Haynes book, since he can't seem to keep it in the van, and can't check the sensors b/c he doesn't know where they are (even though I can get my hands on it!). I am ready to go after him with a cast iron frying pan, lol.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by Harlow727

Thanks RIP.
SEL is already on, has been for 3 years now (due to LDP that is coding that nobody can seem to find...but when we catch it at just.the.right.time before the SEL light come back on, it passes smog beautifully) anyway...

He did not, and does not have a way to check pressure in the fuel pump. It is hissing as it should. It was replaced 2 years ago, but the filter was not.

He *says* the van has a spark, but has not tested it in either way you describe. He says it must have a spark because it turns over but will not start completely, like it is starved for gas. He is 55 miles away from home, at a family member's house, and resigned to take it for diagnostic on Thursday, which I am afraid the sensors will not code, as I have read they sometimes don't. He is without the Haynes book, since he can't seem to keep it in the van, and can't check the sensors b/c he doesn't know where they are (even though I can get my hands on it!). I am ready to go after him with a cast iron frying pan, lol.

Looks like you sent a post while I was editing. Disregard the crap about checking fuel pressures. If you could edit your post to delete that paragraph it won't lead others astray. Thanks.

[RIP]

If he's sure he has spark and fuel, that leaves timing. The two sensors are a major player in establishing timing. Then there's the timing chain. Getting spark eliminates a broken chain but, it may have slipped a tooth or two. The only way I know of to check that is to pull the chain cover off and have a look.

LDP = ?

[Harlow727]

Originally Posted by RIP

If he's sure he has spark and fuel, that leaves timing. The two sensors are a major player in establishing timing. Then there's the timing chain. Getting spark eliminates a broken chain but, it may have slipped a tooth or two. The only way I know of to check that is to pull the chain cover off and have a look.

LDP = ?

LD= Leak Detection Pump.
He thinks the issues right now may have something to do with the Idle Air Control valve that is busted, but I don't think so. We never run the air and have not had issues since. Could it?