Runs for 20 seconds then stalls

Tiny
TOSHIBITSU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
My van has trouble starting. It will conk out once or twice before it comes on(mostly at night) & when I drive the van jerks a bit until I get up to speed. I have tried replacing the spark plugs(gapped properly), spark plug cables, distributor cap & rotor and it still has the same problems. Do you guys have any idea what it could be?

Thanks!
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Try some throttle body cleaner. Follow the instructiuons. Sometimes engines have a build up of carbon in the throttle body that clogs up making it not start right or idle right.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAYWARDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET VAN
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,500 MILES
Engine stalls after about 15 seconds. Will restart but dies again. Can hear fuel pump run and stop after short time and relay clicks. Will not start after it stalls unless key is turned off and back on.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,702 POSTS
Does the check engine light come on? if so, scan for codes...if not lets try to see if it is fuel related or ignition related.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

run these tests and let me know :-) thanks for using the site.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGTMULLINS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1990 CHEVROLET VAN
Electrical problem
1990 Chevy Van V8 Two Wheel Drive

I have changed the fuel pump, and fuel relay switch and I can not get my van to run more than 20 second, it dies. If you pour gas into the throttle body it will stay running. What makes it stop running?
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Clean out the idle air control valve and test the coolant temperature sensor,

After you prime it and it starts will it continue to run without priming it-let me know
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGTMULLINS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Also, in order for my van to re-prime itself, I have to turn the key off and then on again. It will not re-prime its self if I just leave the key on and start cranking again.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGTMULLINS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Do you think I should rebuild the throttle body?
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Verify the fuel pressure if its within specs
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+1
Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REC48
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
Engine shuts off when I turn the headlights on or blow the horn and wont for days have tried new fuel pump and checked all fuses realys are ok had them checked need to have fixed soon only veh I have need help please
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGTMULLINS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The fuel pressure is good. I cleaned the idle air control valve and it will start but it dies in 20 seconds. Also, in order for my van to re-prime itself, I have to turn the key off and then on again. It will not re-prime its self if I just leave the key on and start cranking again. Something is making the fuel pump stop pumping. And I have changed the fuel pump 2 times now.
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-1
Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check to see if you have a good clean body to battery ground and battery ground to engine. Also check battery for condition including load test. Autoparts do for free
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Okay test the fuel pump and oil pressure sending unit when you turn key On the fuel pump relay powers the fuel pump for 2secs when the engine fires up this is where the oil pressure switch power the fuel pump.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_oil_sending_unit_and_fuel_pump_circuit_102.gif

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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
89CHEVROLETG30
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 CHEVROLET VAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,600 MILES
I just bought a 1989 chevy g30 van the guy told me it stalls sometimes and it might be the ignition coil. So far it stalled 3 times a day sometimes more I had it for about 5 days. When it stalls the check ingine light comes on and the car dies but before it does it strugels a little bit also a burst of I guess gas comes from under the air filter and then dies the fuel pumps new the alternators new its fuel injected
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Pull the code/s from the computer this is where you start to find the problem


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_GM_ALCL_31.jpg

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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM.BYRNE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1981 CHEVROLET VAN
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 19,000 MILES
Engine runs for one minute, then stops
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter and fuel pump.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM.BYRNE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for responding. We installed a new mechanical fuel pump three weeks ago, and had it running fine. Now, It starts every time, runs for a minute, then stops as if something is telling the carbureator to stop requesting fuel. We just re-connected the radio. But had to cut some speghetti wires to do it.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel filter on the carb if okay the needle valve on the float system might not be opening or the idle circuit is clogging up
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM.BYRNE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks again. Lost daylight last night, and will investigate tomorrow morning. Honestly, have no idea where the needle valve or the idle circuit is, but will research it now.
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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)

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