Engine ran rough and now wont start up?

1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE
200,000 MILES • 3.1L • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JOEMINIVAN
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Driving in traffic van started running rough lost power and stalled. Won't start back had to get a tow.
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:30 AM
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WRENCHTECH
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This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
Jul 19, 2015 at 3:45 PM
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SAMSANGESARI2010
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Starts with starting fluid and run check the pump it was ok but no power on fuel injector whats the next step..its a regular key no chip or security.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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if it starts with fluid, you have issues with fuel delivery. what is the fuel pressure?? hearing the pump does not mean you have fuel. you need good pressure.

i would start there.

Roy
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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SAMSANGESARI2010
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yes but we change the fuel pump and we check the pressure it was good the only thing im not sure is computer or fuel injector what do you think ??
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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the crank sensor controls the injectors firing. i would look hard at this before spending any more money.

Roy
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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MIKEDEROUIN88
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You can rent a niod tester from auto zone use it to see if your objectors get fire and have a pulse
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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SAMSANGESARI2010
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Find out that the fuel injector fuse had bad conection on fuse box it was corroison under the fuse works good after cleaning
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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TCULVERWELL
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I aquired this van because it stooped working. the starter tested bad, replaced it and the feul filter, now it cranks but huffs and poofs but will not run, I had it start by holding the pedal all the way down, but as soon as i let off it stalled out.so far now it still tries but just won't fire up
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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MASTERTECHTIM
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i would start by pulling down the exhaust pipe at the engine, this will eliminate a clogged cat converter. if the truck starts and runs you know there is a restriction in the exhaust. hope this helps
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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TCULVERWELL
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I just went out and cranked it. it started but was real rough (like its starving for air or fuel) it did stay running when i let off the gas but does have a very pungent odor in the exhaust. had to keep the pedal down to get it to start. I am limited on what i can remove or test due to limited tools, and knowledge of newer veh's would bad catylitic converter cause the bad odor?
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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MASTERTECHTIM
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check the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail, it has a vacuum line going to it. pull off the vacuum line and see if there is any sign of fuel. if any fuel then replace fuel pressure regulator, this could also cause severe flooding.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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TCULVERWELL
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I went today and bought a code scanner, it read P0300 random/multiple cylinder misfire detected. I got this code twice. I also picked up a manual for this veh. and will follow thru with Ignition coil and ignition control module tests. your help with this is greatly appreciated I will check the fuel pressure regulator first.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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MASTERTECHTIM
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id check regulator first then remove one plug wire at a time on the coil pack and see if any are burnt. let us know
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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CHARRISON145
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I am repairing a 98 venture 3.4L 6cyl. Same thing was happening almost to a T. I broke into it and about 2-3 cyl. were barely firing (if at all) and found out the camshaft was broken in half just behind the second cam bearing. DO NOT ASSUME THIS IS IT. Make sure to check valve movement first.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM (Merged)
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NJCOWGIRL
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1998 Chevy Venture, 130,000 miles, enging had problems starting would crank and have a hard time turning over. When it did turn over and you gave it gas it would backfire under the hood and sputter, but would start. Changed fuel filter, plugs, wires, air filter, TPS, still having problem. Oh also should mention slight hesitation when taking off from a full stop jumps a few times unless you push VERY lightly on accelerator. Anyway since problem did not stop changed throttle body and coil pack and right after there was no more hesitation but i woke up the day after we changed those things and the van will not start at all now, it trys to turn over but then i just get a hum that fades out. Won't start at all. The fuel filter does come on i can hear it. The coil pack and throttle body were from a junk yard off a Venture that started right up. What do you think it could be? Also when it did run it would slightly accelerate on its own even after changing the TPS. HELP
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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It sounds like the fuel pump is bad but to be sure this guide will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.


Roy
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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NJCOWGIRL
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Hi thank you for the reply. I had the fuel pressure checked and its wierd. When it has problems starting the pressure is between 30 & 35 psi when it is running well (after we get it started) and its been running for a while its 40 psi. Someone mentioned the fuel pressure regulator and/or the fuel pump sensor. Any ideas?
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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NJCOWGIRL
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Oh sorry i forgot to mention i did get it started after 2 days of trying. I got in turned the key and it turned over. I immediatly gave it gas and it grumbled and backfired like no tomorrow, but when it was done with all that it ran good.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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not the regulator from the numbers you gave me. i still feel there may be an issue with the fuel pump.

Roy
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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MELISSAL713
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I had all those problems too with my Chevy Venture.. After i had all the spark plugs & everything else replaced I finaly had to have the head gasket replaced & that fixed the problem. Now im dealing with the battery keeps draining & its not the altenater. I was told to check all the fuses one by one to see which one has a short circuit thats draining it.. UGH nothing but problems with this Venture the whole time i have had it!!! im really thinking about selling it
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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NJCOWGIRL
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Hi Again and thank you, we did replace the fuel pump along with the computer and a few other things i am not sure of. The van starts right up now and has full power, no hesitation it runs great, but guess what now it has a new problem. While driving the temp guage will go all the way into the red then drop back down again to normal. Then back to the red, when i looked under the hood the antifreeze in the reserve was boiling but it did not overheat to the point of smoking. I drove it about 30 miles last night and after the back and forth with the temp guage it finally stayed on red but no overheating smoke. I put the heat on and it was not very hot, then would get cool than warm again. I did smell antifreeze. Now i do realize that this may be the heater core but my question is this..While driving the 'low coolant' light came on and off, then the temp light came on and off, then when they both came on together it was almost like the van stalled for about 10 seconds, when pressing the gas i barely had excelleration but it DID NOT stall and did maintain its speed. After the 10 seconds the temp Guage dropped back down to normal range and wham i got my power back and was able to accelerate. Then the temp guage went back up and both lights came on and off but still no overheating smoke. By this time i had turned the heater off. I never stalled or had to restart the van it just came back on its own. Would the Heater Core cause this? I did change the thermostat last week and flush the radiator and put new antifreeze in. Oh also about 1 month ago we smelled the antifreeze and saw it kept going down a bit so we put the Bars Leak Core sealent in it thinking at that time that it may be the Heater Core. Could it just be a clog Possibly?, Hopefully? Thanks For The Help.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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STEPHANIEETHINGTON
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i have had similiar problems. but mine was my freeze plug that kept mine overheating.check that too
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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STEPHANIEETHINGTON
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i have a 1999 cheverolet venture and it wont start either. it will crank over but it wont start. i cant figure out what is wrong with it either. i thought maybe it was a starter coil pack. but im not a mechanic.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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KERRIE6900
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I have a 98 chevy venture that did the exact same thing, and it drove me crazy when I knew the fuel pump was still good, and I traced the wire and plug in connector along the drivers side mounted on the frame just underneath the drivers side seat and found that the plug connection which also runs the fuel gauge was nasty, wet, and corroded, I unplugged it and squirted some backing soda several times up in the prongs [and flushed it with straight water],and took a small piece of wood fingernail file and ran it up and down all the prongs, and the van starts great again and fuel gauge does not fluctuate. There is a name for this wire connector but I can't remember it but advanced auto parts, or any other place would propably know, if you show them. After I cleaned it up I let it dry good and wrapped it up in electrical tape as these vans rust very badly along the lower kick side panels and take on alot of splashing water and winter salt. Try this and you will propably find your problem. Hopefully, but I'm glad I checked as it cost me 10 cents worth of good electrical tape. AMEN.
Jan 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM (Merged)
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