starting Astro- seems to be an epidemic

[reallytired]

I am having a starting problem with an 93 Astro. Looking for clues to check components & what I should replace.

Over the last year since I bought this, I have replaced several components on this vehicle: starter, battery, alternator, ground cable, 4 tires, fuel filter, & now I am having this problem over the last 2-3 months with the vehicle not starting intermittenly. I have already had it towed once this year for various problems.

Since this problem started, I have replaced the fuel pump. I checked the resistance on the air control valve & it was good. Checked for fuel going into the throttle body & it was only going in when it would start. When it would not start the fuel would not spray in at all. Diagnose codes show 12 flashing repeating. The engine check lite is always on. It started out not starting on occasion- not affected by cold or hot weather. Changed out the cap & rotor, because they definitely needed changed. Drove it around the block, before it stalled again on the way back at a stop sign.

So do I need to check the oil pressure sensor, throttle position sensor,
or ecm? If there is anything else let me know.

I have not checked the fire, but I will definitely double check that with a timing light. Didn't think to check it before, because the fuel didn't seem to flow from the injectors.

[wadee]

Check the fuel pump relay. I had the same problem on my 93 and I replaced the relay and have not had a issue since!!

[reallytired]

Tried fuel relay - this seems to be a no go

I put a new fuel relay in & this did not seem to help, it started up ran for 10 minutes died & started again & ran for 5 minutes. Now it is still not starting just like before.

I checked for fire with my timing light. It was working on another vehicle, but does not seem to work here. At least I get no light when I turn over the engine. I'm assuming I should get something. Unfornuately, I didn't check when I had the engine running. So now when it will not run I don't seem to get fuel to throttle body or fire.

What a deal?!

[reallytired]

Still looking for help here.

After talking to Chevrolet, telling them I'm not always getting fire. They said I may want to change the distributor and the module in the distributor. If that does not work then look to the computer. Mechanic also said that sometimes even with fire the distributor could be the problem. If there is no fire, the computer shuts down the fuel supply - meaning it will not start. So it looks like I'm headed there next - replacing distributor or computer.