Okay, the vehicle was running until I got to target, then it suddenly wouldn't start again. For being intermittent, this seems to becoming consistent enough to be diagnosable.
Took it to a mechanic and they're going to do the diagnostics. They apparently are going to check belt speeds and measure fuel pressure. Oh, so much for me to learn.
Then, if nothing conclusive, drop the fuel tank and check the fuel pump. [fuel tank is nearly full]
So
no fuel -> bad fuel pump or clogged fuel filter (other possibilities, bad wire to the fuel pump; he fed power to the fuel pump and it worked fine. replace wire -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgmNoUvGeeI)[Fuel pump was just replaced 3 weeks ago, similar to this guy's situation. I didn't actually start really driving until the start of the trip, so it was effectively running for about 6 days before a problem...
no spark -> bad sparkplugs or bad ignition coil; check the distributor cap for issues.
no air -> ECG valve is flooding the intake with exhaust (But, that wouldn't prevent it from starting)
sensor problems are also possible. [Coolant temperature sensor prevented a car from starting on youtube.]
Soon enough, I'll have to start fulfilling orders from the hotel... >.<
Lucky enough for me, it broke down in an area with several auto repair shops and auto parts stores nearby, so it wasn't really hard for me to get help. I wonder what I will have to do to repair it in the upcoming days... (The guy I was talking to sounded hesitant in getting it repaired there; apparently they're booked. Might have to buy some jacks from the nearby auto parts store and do the repairs myself in the parking lot, lol.)
Anyway, the run to the auto parts store this morning was unusually enjoyable. The weather is like /perfect/ running weather, just feels like the way it's supposed to feel like. Anyway, as to bugs, I haven't really noticed huge issues here. They exist, don't get me wrong, but it's not like it's /significantly/ worse than other places in America. Definitely manageable.
I will confirm, houston's pedestrian lights don't work. Not that I woud've expected them too (Not a lot of pedestrians outside of downtown), not a lot of pedestrians in general, in both Dallas and Houston. I'm guessing most would-be pedestrians already know how futile it is, sidewalks are lacking, and speeds are anywhere from 40-55 mph around the city. The stores are /too/ far away. [Except for the particular area I happened to break down in, lucky me.]
If no fuel pressure, test the fuel pump with a 12V tester. If it runs, test the wires.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4LOB7jj3I - possible camshaft position or crankshaft position sensor error. Found no a12V feed to the camshaft sensor, so he wired in a connection from 12v to it and it worked. [Another broken wire]
I'm thinking a broken wire is fairly realistic. Pump was replaced 3 weeks ago, or about 6 days total of driving, and I'm assuming it "failed again" [it's not pumping], but it's intermittent which is not uncharacteristic of an internally broken wire. A broken fuel pump would seem exceedingly unlikely. Lucky for me, I have wires, and a soldering station handy. Hooah, I kind of know what to test now and how to fix.
How to test spark [youtube]9UyxRc2lCvk[/youtube]; apparently can check spark plugs and the ignition coil with that little voltage tester tool.
of
I feel so lucky, after 3 hours of watching these "Cranks but doesn't start" videos, i feel like an expert.
Apparently the fuel pump fuse can be labeled ECM-A or similar on the vehicle. Testing the relay is as easy as switching with known working relays.
I think I'm going to organize my thoughts here, to make testing and fixing fast and efficient.
Cranks but no start
----------------------
FUEL
---------------
electrical:12v->fuel pump fuse->fuel pump relay->fuel pump
mechanical:fuel tank->fuel pump->fuel filter->fuel injectors
Possibilities -
Popped fuel pump fuse [steady] (Look at fuse or test for open)
Broken fuel pump relay [steady] (Switch with known working relay)
Broken wire to the fuel pump [steady or intermittent] (Reading correct voltages?)
bad fuel pump [steady or intermittent] (Test the fuel pump with an independent voltage source.
clogged fuel filter [steady or intermittent] (?)
bad fuel injectors [steady] (Don't know if injectors would prevent engine start; decreasing engine performance would be first noticed symptom of failing injectors) (?)
Fuel pump shutoff or Inertia Switch activated [steady] (Reset the switch)
ors.
(I may have to cutoff the bottom of the back of the van to expose the fuel pump and its connectors.)
(Chevy astro van does not have an inertia switch or fuel pump cutoff switch. http://www.diyforums.net/where-is-fuel-pump-reset-on-2000-astro-van.-1006028.html)
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=945465
Clogged fuel filter symptoms
I would say you still have a pump that is going bad, and a filter that is getting to the point of being fully clogged.
I had several episodes like this, that occured with increasing frequency, until I changed the fuel filter. I would have a no start episode, followed by days or even weeks of the car running perfectly. It would also do a no start, or a very hard and lengthy start process, only to start perfectly fine after sitting overnight.
I would advise you to change the fuel filter, which will cure most of the issues, as it did with mine.
It was actually 2 months later when my fuel pump died. And actually, the day it died, it was low on gas. I added some gas, and it started right up. But, I was not going to trust it any more, so I changed it on the spot. It has been about 4 weeks now, with no issues, so I am fairly confident in saying the issue is fixed.
But, if I were you, I would take this as a warning sign of problems that will occur again very soon, and replace your fuel filter, and fuel pump.
SPARK (Good NO SPARK diagnostic video->[youtube]XyYH49QGtoU[/youtube])
-------------------
Ignition Coil->Distributor->spark plug wires->spark plugs
Possibilities-
Broken ignition coil [steady] (Test ignition coil with spark measure tool)
Broken sparkplug wires[steady or intermittent] (rare, I assume?) (Test sparkplug wires with spark measure tool
Broken sparkplugs [steady] (Look at the sparkplugs, measure spark gap.)
(All require removal of the 'dog house' on the front)
SENSORS (known issues)
------------------
sensor types: camshaft, crankshaft, coolant temperature sensor
Possibilities
-Bad sensor [steady] (Replace with working sensor)
-Broekn wire to the sensor [steady or intermittent] (Test to see if sensor has correct input voltages)
AIR
----------------------
No known issues that would prevent starting, except for blocked airflow(airfilter, etc.).
Wow, this is pretty comprehensive. http://www.aa1car.com/library/car_wont_start.htm
If only I knew where the different parts were (i.e., where's the fuel rail on the minivan?).
Fuel line is inside the doghouse with the two metal pipes going into the engine. Looks like it has a shraeder valve. (Easy fuel pressure test)
Throttle body and injectors are inside the metal housing that the fuel lines connects into.
Fuel pump is just below the deck, ontop of the fuel tank. Cutting a hole through the floor can access it from inside the vehicle without dropping the tank.
Fuel filter is .... where?.... under the vehicle near the driver/passenger side? It's under the driver's seat below the minivan.
I'm seeing why GM put the distributor cap and fuel intake inside the doghouse instead of under the hood. Though inconvenient to access (Need to remove drivers seat), it allows the owner to read the gauges/test-equipment from inside the vehicle when starting the van.
chevy astro fuel lines and throttle body -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQyGfXOJoes (Chevy Astro CPI Fuel Injector Install)
Fuel filter replacement interval is every 50,000 miles on average. Very possible that needs to be replaced - it can cause a bad fuel pump by overworking it.
Fuel pressure specs are 50 psi min, 56-66 psi normal.
I just booked a hotel close to the shop, so that it might help expedite diagnosis/repairs. I have a feeling I might be doing them... Also got a rental SUV for today, to facilitate the removal of the big unnecessary items in the van (ferry them to the storage unit) to help get access to the fuel pump location through the floor. (I also needed to remove them anyway) It's quite nice how the hotel, auto rental place, repair shop, auto part stores, groceries, etc. are in that one little area. Should help facilitate getting things done in a timely manner. And, that's important; when it comes to hotels, time is money. I bought this property precisely so I wouldn't be wasting money on having a place to sleep. And, I intended staying in Houston's hotels for 3 days (Enough time I thought to get the property set up for temporary encampment), not weeks.