Possible Solution to Astro Van 97, 98, 99 Starting Problem. If you
have the following symptoms, this may apply to you.
-For years my 98 Astro Van had trouble starting in 'cold or wet
weather', or damp weather, especially when there was fog, or heavy
morning dew. Otherwise it would start fine when it was dry, even when
it was freezing (as long as it was dry). Sometimes I would run the
battery completely down and need to recharge before it would start. It
would turn over great. I could hear the fuel pump 'hum' properly. Once
started, it would run fairly well. However, if the truck was parked
for more than 20 hours, in the damp weather, it would not start again.
I changed may things including distributer cap and rotor, cables,
plugs, fuel filter, etc... with no effect. And then I one day I
noticed the problem. The ignition coil!!! A $70 part!! Basically, the
coil had a small-crack in the case. When attempting to start, a large
spark about 1" to 1.5" from the coil would short to the coil frame.
Electrically it makes perfect sense! The electricity would much rather
short to ground(less resistance), than continue on its way through the
distributer, and on to the plugs (more resistance). Also, when it is
'wet or damp' the short has an easy low resistance path, but when it
is dry, it is too hard to short, and so power flows to the
distributer, and your van starts.

-->It is really easy to check for yourself. Just remove the engine
access panel inside your van. Locate the ignition coil. Turn the start
key (especially when it won't start) and just look and listen to the
ignition coil. First make sure all the wires on the coil are properly
and firmly connected. If you see a large spark or hear the clear
crackling of electricity, you have found your problem. The van starts
great now, within less than a second, every time, no matter the
weather. I changed my coil myself, but it is a bit hard to reach. I
noticed that the replacement coil is 're-designed' and has a heaftier
plastic mold around where the original crack was on my factory coil.
I have read through most of the posts on this site and others, but in
the ones with these symptoms, it seems most people overlook the
ignition coil. Good luck and Post back if it works for you too

My problem was a Wells brand junk ignition coil. Truck would die
in wet weather. I found the problem by running the truck on a
warm dry day. Lift the hood and start spraying water on various
things. When I sprayed the ignition coil, the motor died.

The AC Delco coil ran fine, wet or dry.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

<dechev (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

: Possible Solution to Astro Van 97, 98, 99 Starting Problem. If
you
: have the following symptoms, this may apply to you.
: -For years my 98 Astro Van had trouble starting in 'cold or wet
: weather', or damp weather, especially when there was fog, or
heavy
: morning dew. Otherwise it would start fine when it was dry,
even when
: it was freezing (as long as it was dry). Sometimes I would run
the
: battery completely down and need to recharge before it would
start. It
: would turn over great. I could hear the fuel pump 'hum'
properly. Once
: started, it would run fairly well. However, if the truck was
parked
: for more than 20 hours, in the damp weather, it would not start
again.
: I changed may things including distributer cap and rotor,
cables,
: plugs, fuel filter, etc... with no effect. And then I one day I
: noticed the problem. The ignition coil!!! A $70 part!!
Basically, the
: coil had a small-crack in the case. When attempting to start, a
large
: spark about 1" to 1.5" from the coil would short to the coil
frame.
: Electrically it makes perfect sense! The electricity would much
rather
: short to ground(less resistance), than continue on its way
through the
: distributer, and on to the plugs (more resistance). Also, when
it is
: 'wet or damp' the short has an easy low resistance path, but
when it
: is dry, it is too hard to short, and so power flows to the
: distributer, and your van starts.
:
: -->It is really easy to check for yourself. Just remove the
engine
: access panel inside your van. Locate the ignition coil. Turn
the start
: key (especially when it won't start) and just look and listen
to the
: ignition coil. First make sure all the wires on the coil are
properly
: and firmly connected. If you see a large spark or hear the
clear
: crackling of electricity, you have found your problem. The van
starts
: great now, within less than a second, every time, no matter the
: weather. I changed my coil myself, but it is a bit hard to
reach. I
: noticed that the replacement coil is 're-designed' and has a
heaftier
: plastic mold around where the original crack was on my factory
coil.
: I have read through most of the posts on this site and others,
but in
: the ones with these symptoms, it seems most people overlook the
: ignition coil. Good luck and Post back if it works for you too
: