# Failure to start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 25, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623 "2009-04-25T15:38:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tjmulichsr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b3f665/32.png) [@tjmulichsr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tjmulichsr)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623/1 "2009-04-25T15:38:00Z")

</div>

About every six months, during or after a rain, my 98 astro van fails to start. The first time the mechanic replaced the fuel pump as there were no gas fumes. After it sits for awhile it will start with no problem. When I have it towed to the garage it always has started for the mechanic and the computer readout shows nothing. HELP

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623/2 "2009-04-25T15:46:37Z")

</div>

There’s two ways an engine fails to start. You turn the key and nothing happens, or you turn the key and the engine cranks over but doesn’t start.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623/3 "2009-04-26T03:47:50Z")

</div>

The problem is probably moisture on spark plug wires and / or on wiring controlling the ignition coil. Replace the spark plug wires.  
When it’s damp outside, play heated air from a hair dryer over the top of the engine. Attempt to start. Results?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 5:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623/4 "2009-04-26T05:10:17Z")

</div>

You must find out if your Astro really is not protected from moisture. Cars are designed to be driven in the rain, what has made yours the exception?

As a mechanic I would note your observation, I would not let it direct my diagnosis.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/failure-to-start/29623/5 "2009-04-26T12:38:47Z")

</div>

A 98 car with original plug wires would be a prime suspect for new wires.