98 Astro Wont start

[nuarctable]

OK, my wifes 98 Astro with 185K miles on it wouldnt start this morning. It ran fine yesterday, and nothing this morning.
It just cranks and cranks.
When I turn on the key, I can hear the fuel pump (I changed the fuel pump and filter last summer), plus I can smell fuel when it cranks so Im pretty sure thats not it. I didnt run a fuel pressure test though.

That batterys got good voltage 12.8 volts.
Im pretty sure its not a coil problem, since Ive got power at the coil, and power thru the wire to the cap.

After reading thru alot of the threads here, I was thinking the cap and the rotor would be my most likely culprits. I got them out, and they looked pretty bad, so I ran to the parts store, and bought new ones. Still it just cranks and cranks.

After reading thru cdzengas post, someone mentioned that power to the coil and the cap doesnt mean spark to the plugs. 1 or more bad wires?
Now from what I saw, getting to the plugs and the wires doesnt look like and easy task.

Is there something else I can check before I go to the plugs and wires?
Whats the easiest way to check the fuel pressure?
Whats the easiest way to get to the plugs and wires? It almost looks like I cant get to them from inside, or is there a trick?

Thanks for any input.

[brcidd]

You need fuel pressure tested- so you gotta pull the doghouse out- to access the fuel test port- also get a spark tester on one on the plug wires...

[nuarctable]

Ive already got the doghouse out.

Ive got a spark tester, so I can pull a few plug wires and test those.

How do I test the fuel pressure?

[Vanfan]

fallow the two fuel lines going into the intake, theres a plastic screw on cap on top of what looks like a larger than normal tire stem. Unscrew the cap and hook up fuel gauge, turn the key on to activate the pump and let us know what the reading is. If it comes up to 55 or 60, let it sit there for about five minutes to see if it drops and how fast. Do not crank the engine over, just turn the key enough to activate the pump. Post back with what you find out.

[Vanfan]

fallow the two fuel lines going into the intake, theres a plastic screw on cap on top of what looks like a larger than normal tire stem. Unscrew the cap and hook up fuel gauge, turn the key on to activate the pump and let us know what the reading is. If it comes up to 55 or 60, let it sit there for about five minutes to see if it drops and how fast. Do not crank the engine over, just turn the key enough to activate the pump. Post back with what you find out. You can get a fuel pressure gauge from any auto parts store, I think I paid 35 bucks or so for mine and it came with a variety of adapters to fit many styles of vehicles.

[nuarctable]

Thanks Vanfan, Ill give it a try if its not raining or snowing here tonight.
And Ill post my results when I can.

[nuarctable]

Ok, its finally somewhat nice here today (High 30s no rain or snow).
Ive got 55psi of fuel pressure going thru the line to the check valve at the top of the engine.
The dist. cap is turning too when I crank it. (Figured Id check that too, since its right there).

Now Im really stumped.
Anyone have any ideas?

[old_master]

55psi is too low. In cold weather, that will cause a no start situation. Must be 60psi to 66psi with the key on and the engine off, and the pump running. Pressure must remain above 55psi for 3 to 5 minutes after the pump shuts off.

[sschober]

Originally Posted by nuarctable

OK, my wifes 98 Astro with 185K miles on it wouldnt start this morning. It ran fine yesterday, and nothing this morning.
It just cranks and cranks.
When I turn on the key, I can hear the fuel pump (I changed the fuel pump and filter last summer), plus I can smell fuel when it cranks so Im pretty sure thats not it. I didnt run a fuel pressure test though.

That batterys got good voltage 12.8 volts.
Im pretty sure its not a coil problem, since Ive got power at the coil, and power thru the wire to the cap.

After reading thru alot of the threads here, I was thinking the cap and the rotor would be my most likely culprits. I got them out, and they looked pretty bad, so I ran to the parts store, and bought new ones. Still it just cranks and cranks.

After reading thru cdzengas post, someone mentioned that power to the coil and the cap doesnt mean spark to the plugs. 1 or more bad wires?
Now from what I saw, getting to the plugs and the wires doesnt look like and easy task.

Is there something else I can check before I go to the plugs and wires?
Whats the easiest way to check the fuel pressure?
Whats the easiest way to get to the plugs and wires? It almost looks like I cant get to them from inside, or is there a trick?

Thanks for any input.

I would check the coil mine was the same way when it was dam did the wire plugs and cap few days later it was dam and crank and crank no start turned out to be a bad coil

[diggin]

Find a sparkplug hook it to one of the wires lay it on the engine so the outside and not the electrode is grounded and turn over your engine and see if you have a spark. Could be a crank sensor or coil or something but you need to eliminate the electrical.