Will not start

125,000 MILES • 5.8L • V8 • RWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MI30189
  • MEMBER
  • 50 POSTS
My van has the 351w engine and A/C. It will not start. The van has been sitting up for about two years, so I changed all the fluids, new four barrel carburetor (Edelebrock performer 1406). Changed spark plugs and wires. Tried to start and cranked just fine but could not get it to turn over, but it would try to start turn over for about two seconds, then shut off. Can you tell me what steps to take next? You have always helped me before.
Thank you.
Mark
Oct 2, 2017 at 1:11 AM
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
make sure that the fuel is okay, if the tank has had stale fuel it will gum up the pump and filter, so check this first, then make sure you have good fuel pressure and spark, start here.
Oct 2, 2017 at 7:48 PM
Avatar
MI30189
  • MEMBER
  • 50 POSTS
Thank you for your input, I have already done this. It has fresh fuel. it feels like it wants to run, but when you get it to start, it runs for about two seconds and cut out. I feel that I am over-looking something so easy, but I am just waiting for you to figure it out LOL!
Thank you.
Mark
Oct 3, 2017 at 5:05 AM
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
Does the ignition system have a ballast resistor? if so this may bee faulty. i do not have a wiring schematic to hand for this model. best way to test is to hot wire the coil, small jump wire from battery to coil positive (+) this will by pass any in line resistor, try a start and if it runs this is the problem. if the ballast is faulty it will fire on cranking, but when the key is returned to run it will loose ignition, or just check for twelve volts at the coil ignition on, same thing with out the hot wire.
Oct 3, 2017 at 5:52 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,548 POSTS
Two things come to mind first is does the ignition have spark and does the engine have compression. If the compression is low I would think the timing chain has jumped which is common for engine of this age.

Here are some guides to help us confirm the problem:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

Oct 3, 2017 at 5:56 AM
Avatar
MI30189
  • MEMBER
  • 50 POSTS
Hi Ken, I just wanted to thank u for your advice.I found that 2 of the spark plugs were incorrectly gapped. I regapped them and now it runs just fine.

Thank U
Mark
Oct 5, 2017 at 7:34 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,548 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
Oct 6, 2017 at 4:12 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle