OK its Saturday let the class begin: Your engine needs five things to run: 1. Fuel 2. Spark 3. Air 4. Compression 5. Exhaust

Check these in order as I find that 75% of the time your problem will be very simple instead of expensive and complex.

1. Fuel- This may seem like a dumb question but is the van out of gas? If not then check to see if your fuel pump is pumping (it should make a noise when the key is turned on). If you smell fuel in the engine compartment after cranking the van over a few times then this is probably not your problem. Possible problems: no gas, bad old gas, fuel tank plugged, fuel filter plugged, fuel injectors all plugged (very unlikely), fuel pressure very low, or fuel injectors not getting power (ignition system problem).

2. Spark- Remove a spark plug and look at it. Is it fouled (black carbony), wet, broken tip? If Yes replace or clean plugs. If No continue. Get you wife to sit in the van and while you hold the plug against the engine, get her to crank the van over a couple of times. Is the plug sparking? Is the spark white or yellowish or orange. If orange then it might not be a good enough spark. Possible causes are bad distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs, coil, ignition module, hall sender, or ECU.

3. Air- Are all of your vacuum lines attached and no holes in them? Is your airfilter and the lines leading to the air box clean with no obstructions?

4. Compression- If you have a compression tester check you compression (or take it to a shop and have this done). The motor will not run if it has lost compression in the cylinders for some reason (overheating, dropping valves, improper valve adjustment, rings, etc).

5. Exhaust- When you turn the motor over do you feel air coming out of the tail pipe of the muffler? If not then you could have a clogged Cat or muffler to the point that it is not allowing your motor to exhale. Your motor won't run if this is the problem (very rare).

If you remember these 5 things then YOU can troubleshoot your OWN motor and get it running again (or at least have a good idea of the problem when you go to a mech so you don't get hosed).

Save this email or print it out and put it in your glove box or manual. Then go down this list and if you still can't figure it out then email me along with what you have already done and I will be glad to try and talk you through.

Hope this helps, Ken Wilford http://www.vanagain.com John 3:16 Office (856)-765-1583 Shop (856)-327-0027 Fax (856)-327-2242