Help!!

[strunch]

Hello,
I am a satellite TV installer with a 99 Chevy astro cargo van. I bought if a few months ago and it has been running fine. But last night after finishing up an install it would turn over but not start. I noticed I did not hear the whirring of the pump when I engaged the ignition. I checked all the obvious fuses but all seemed fine.

The only thing I did different during this install was after I parked I pulled the fuse out that controlled the interior lights because it tended to drain the battery as the van doors would be open for around three hours. I figured if I pulled the fuse it would not drain the battery. After the install I jumped in the van and I forgot to replace the fuse. The van did not start so I remembered I had to put the fuse back in but it still would not start. I also noticed the check engine light came on, so I triggered an error code?

I’m hoping it is nothing serious because I can not afford it right now (struggling to make mortgage payments),
Here are my thoughts:

Did I trigger an error code when restarted the van with the interior light fuse missing?
If so can I take the battery cables off and put them back on to reset the computer?

I was parked on an incline for a few hours…any issues there?



I had to get a jump at our last install because the overhead lights drained the battery during the install.
Could the jump have done something bad?

Is there a fuel shutoff solenoid that could be the culprit?

I haven’t tried jumping the vehicle yet, it turns over fine I just can’t hear the pump operating.

Another thought….I heard the sometimes the gas gauge fails on these vehicles. Could it be I am simply out of gas even though the gauge reads a quarter full?
….does the pump still makes a whirring noise if there is no fuel in the tank?

Please help…I am going to drive to get a repair manual now…my van is fifty miles away.
I need it for my livelihood.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[strunch]

tested the fuel switch and it seems fine. I guess my next step is to pull the gas tank and test for voltage at the fuel pump.
The only other thing I can think of is the fuel pump solenoid shut off thing. Can anyone tell me where this is located?

Thanks!

[strunch]

just want to say thanks for all the tips and suggestions on my question.
I keep on forgeting I am dealing with humans.

[CD Smalley]

You should be able to test for 12v at a connector that runs to the tank. No need to drop the tank to get there.

Not sure on a fuel cutoff. If the van cranks but will not fire I'd suggest first looking at spark as well. Put a timing light on a spark plug wire and crank the van. Hold the timing light so you can see if it flashes. If not, there should be a module located under the dist. that has probably failed.