Q&A

 Rookie

It turns over. I had been having trouble with it idling recently after driving it and coming to a stop. I went to work this past weekend and came out 30 minutes later and it was doing exactly what it's doing now... turning over, but not starting. Then I waited like 15 minutes and was able to start it and keep it running if I kept it idled up slightly. So I replaced the idle air control motor on the throttle body because I had already replaced the fuel pressure regulator 3 years ago and those don't go out THAT often. So that's why I'm just thinking I haven't gotten the right fuel system problem fixed.

 Master

Sorry about the confusion, I read your post wrong.
So from what I see, the vehicle is hard to start when the engine is cold or after it's been driven? And the idle speed is low and the engine stalls when coming to a stop?
This vehicle should have the ability to store diagnostic trouble codes, have you looked to see if there are any codes stored in the engine control module? Also, make sure there aren't any vacuum leaks.

 Rookie

Ok. I just went out to try it just for the heck of it and check the vacuum lines and didn't do anything but get in and turn it over and it started right up. I didn't check anything or change anything. I don't get this thing!!

 Master

Welcome to the world on intermittent problems! One of the hardest to diagnose, good luck!

 Rookie

Is it even possible I had a vapor lock in the fuel system and could have just taken off the gas cap to release it?

 Master

You generally need heat to turn the gasoline liquid into a vapor, so vapor lock in the fuel system occurs mostly when the vehicle has been driven, shut off, then you try to restart it in less than an hour or so.
I would try to get a fuel pressure gauge on this, and check the diagnostic codes.

 Rookie

Thanks for all of your help!! I'll give that a try. Gotta go buy one of those diagnostic thingies first though and learn how to use it!! Hopefully it'll save me money in the future!

 Master

No problem, investment in repair manuals and tools is always a good thing!

 Rookie

Well I've found out that I can get codes from my van's computer, via the check engine light. Unfortunately, I'm only getting a 12 and 55. The 12 only indicates that the battery has been disconnected in the last 50 ignition starts and the 55 just indicates the end of the computer's stored codes. I also took it to a parts store that had a loaner diagnostic device that didn't register any stored codes, as both codes 12 and 55 are considered normal and not problematic codes. After I got my van back home it began acting up again; only this time it's acting like it's trying to get fuel but can't get quite enough to run steadily. Plus, I don't hear the whirring noise from the fuel pump that I was hearing earlier. So I can only surmise that my worst case scenario is staring me in the face... I have to drop the tank and replace the fuel pump!!

 Master

I would try to get a good idea about the fuel pump condition before going through all that work. Are you able to check the fuel pressure? If you have an ammeter, you can also check the pump that way too.

 Rookie

I do have an amp meter, but have no idea what it should read when I test it. Don't I still have to drop the tank to even get to the pump to test it?