2000 Chevy Astro Car dies

BK507

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
126,000 MILES

Last Labor day, almost 6 mos ago, my van died the same it as it had a few months before, in July, while it was raining (both times). At first it spit and sputtered like it was a vapor lock. Wouldn't start after that. Had it towed home. After it was off the towtruck, it started fine. I asked here and was told that it was probably a short between a wire by the ignition to the frame of the vehicle, since these wiires were just next to metal at the floor of the dogcage over the motor. Wrapped wires with more tape and hose so wires weren't near metal. Engine light never went on either. No problems since, until today. Oh, had put a new fuel pump and filter 2 years ago.

Yesterday, it wasn't raining, but it spit and sputtered and died the same way. Did that several times and had to be towed. Took about an hr to get towed. Got home, unloaded it from tow and it started fine. Engine light never went on either. HELP, lol

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Lets get the fuel pressure checked out and comeback with the readings. Possible causes could be coil/s, ignition control module, distributor pick-up, cam and crankshaft sensors and computer

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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 5:04 PM

BK507

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8 POSTS

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I replaced the rotor, distributor cap and put in new plugs and it is wroking fine. Thanks.

Bob

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Sunday, March 30th, 2008 AT 11:50 AM

BK507

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Well, I spoke to soon. Just was going to run into town and by the time I got to my mailbox (0.2 mile) the Astro was spitting and sputtering and died when I stopped to get the mail. (Gas tank is almost full). Tried to start it several times with no luck. After about 15 minutes, it started and was able to back it up to my driveway and then into the drive. Only had to start it one more time. I was able to back it up by racing the engine while it was spitting an sputtering. It was almost like it wasn't getting any gas. In the driveway, it idles fine with no missing, spitting, or sputtering.. Stranded again. Any ideas?

Bob

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Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 AT 3:11 PM

MXER746

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1 POST

I'm having the same problem. I found on another forum that apperantly GM made weak bearings in the distributor, and it wears out prematurely, causing premature wear in the cap and rotor due to arcing and such as the ignition advances and retards during driving and shifting, ie;the ignition retards every time the transmission shifts. It's all done electronically. Anyhow, it wears out and you need to replace the distributor too. I did that with a remanufactered one from NAPA and it lasted for about 1 year before it started eating caps and rotors about once a week again. Luckily it's still under warrenty. Got my new one and I some how messed up the alignmsnt. Anybody know how to realign distributor for a 2000 4.3l w/ HVS ignition, crank has been truned with the distributor out.

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Saturday, April 5th, 2008 AT 11:17 PM