Jane is D.O.R.
Jane is D.O.R.
dead on the road :( Fortunately I was only half a block from my home on a hill, and was able to roll it back and park it on the side of the street. She has half a tank of gas, turns over but doesn't start. My first guess would be fuel pump. Does that sound reasonable?
I had a mechanic plug it into his computer diagnostic reader in November. He said that the engine was really strong and everything seemed to be ok.
I do know that the tranny has some issues and that I need to replace the (I think) right ball joints. If it is the fuel pump and if I buy a used tranny from a 2003 or 2004 I can probably get her all set up for $1,500
I know that it is possible that something else will go. Still, I find that this van suits my needs perfectly. If I bought a van that was a few years newer it would cost me $3K and I wouldn't be much better off than I am now. I can't afford a new van, or even something that is 3-4 years old. To be honest, I prefer the functional shape (interior and exterior) of the Astro.
Any dialog on this?
I had a mechanic plug it into his computer diagnostic reader in November. He said that the engine was really strong and everything seemed to be ok.
I do know that the tranny has some issues and that I need to replace the (I think) right ball joints. If it is the fuel pump and if I buy a used tranny from a 2003 or 2004 I can probably get her all set up for $1,500
I know that it is possible that something else will go. Still, I find that this van suits my needs perfectly. If I bought a van that was a few years newer it would cost me $3K and I wouldn't be much better off than I am now. I can't afford a new van, or even something that is 3-4 years old. To be honest, I prefer the functional shape (interior and exterior) of the Astro.
Any dialog on this?
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
check the fuel pressure and if it will start temporary with starting fluid.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Sounds like fuel pump to me as well. Get a pressure tester and hook it to the fuel rail at the back of the engine. You will need to remove the doghouse to access this test port. You should see 55 - 60 psi all the time.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Did it just die?
Always check coil/spark.......
Always check coil/spark.......
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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Re: Jane is D.O.R.
When you turn the key on, are you hearing the pump run to prime the system? My guess is the pump though.
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
I was making a left hand turn near my street and it stopped. i will check spark and other things later - it is raining now.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
-
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Interesting.Raining and it quit.....yeah look at the spark question too. ![Think :-k](./images/smilies/eusa_think.gif)
![Think :-k](./images/smilies/eusa_think.gif)
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:30 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts, PA
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
That's not far off how the fuel pump in my 98 Astro went...
Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)
Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Thanks! I had my mechanic look at it and he said that there seemed to be nothing wrong with the fuel pump. He said that it was not getting signals from the "brain" to tell it to pump fuel. I shuddered when I heard this....electronic stuff can get really expensive very quickly. I hope it is just a problem with a wire.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
I would get a different mechanic. That one is not up to date on anything newer than 1982!pengyou wrote:he said that there seemed to be nothing wrong with the fuel pump. He said that it was not getting signals from the "brain" to tell it to pump fuel.
![Ya winkles :yawinkle:](./images/smilies/icon_winkle.gif)
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:27 pm
- Location: Tampa, FL on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico
- Contact:
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
I agree with Lifted. The fuel pumps on these things are either on or off. I've replaced 3 between 2 different Astros. Replaced 2 in my driveway and 1 in the parking lot of my church. They always go at a moments notice with no warning. The job isn't easy but it isn't impossible either. I would say replace the pump and everything should be fine. They cost around $200 at Autozone with a warranty and about 2hrs of your time. If you need help, just ask someone here. Keep us posted.LiftedAWDAstro wrote:I would get a different mechanic.pengyou wrote:he said that there seemed to be nothing wrong with the fuel pump. He said that it was not getting signals from the "brain" to tell it to pump fuel.
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
![Image](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x186/9dawgs/BoatVansig-1.jpg)
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
![Image](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x186/9dawgs/BoatVansig-1.jpg)
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Thanks! He connected a computer reader thingie to the van to do some diagnosis - I don't know if that makes any difference. He said that it was not getting a signal from somewhere...sorry for such a poor description.
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
-
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
If I am reading this right,what he is saying is the data link is not communicating with the computer.Not sure about your yr van,maybe there is a in-line fuse that is blown.Hope someone will chime in to clarify that.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Thanks...put another way, what he said was the "doohickey" that is supposed to tell the fuel pump to pump gas is not working - no signal. He did not do a fuel pressure test, just used his computer reader. Sometimes I think I should buy a late 60's model van - no computers at all - but get one with an inline 6 cyl and put a throttle body carb and high energy ignition system on it with some good ole headers...no computers at all!
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Jane is D.O.R.
Once again I will repeat what I said...There is NO way he can tell you it has a good fuel pump without it running and pumping fuel to the rail. He HAS to do a fuel pressure test and he can ONLY do this once he checks to see if the pump is actually running or not. When you turn the key on, the pump should run for approximately 2 seconds until pressure is built. If the key is turned on and the pump does nothing, it is time to get a volt meter out and see if there is power at the fuel pump connector under the van. Another way is to jump +12V to the test connector on the passenger side firewall right near the fuel pump relay.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy