98 3500 Van cranks doesn't start

98 3500 5.7 Chevrolet Van has 180,000 miles ran great when parked last year. Just recently started to get the inspection sticker and drove fine to the inspection station and then would not re-start. Has fuel, spark, can hear fuel pump when cranking, can hear injectors pulsate, and will start with starter fluid or gas directly into throttle body then dies. Help!

.....and will start with starter fluid or gas directly into throttle body then dies.

You almost certainly have a fuel supply problem due to contaminated gas, a clogged fuel filter, a bad fuel pressure regulator, or a faulty fuel pump. I'd check fuel pressure first.

I would use a noid light and make sure your getting pulse to the injectors. It may be a security system shutdown.
http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_3401.htm
3410 is a single unit. Available at parts stores.
Otherwise follow other post guidelines.

98 3500 5.7 Chevrolet Van has 180,000 miles ran great when parked last year. Just recently started to get the inspection sticker and drove fine to the inspection station and then would not re-start. Has fuel, spark, can hear fuel pump when cranking, can hear injectors pulsate, and will start with starter fluid or gas directly into throttle body then dies. Help!

The only true test on a fuel pump is to check the direct fuel pressure from fuel pump.
A quick test is to block off the return line and see if fuel pressure comes up to 75-85 lbs.
But do not run the pump at full pressure very long.
Also when testing fuel pump and pressure you need to tape a gauge to outside windshield or outside mirror and drive it on the road for 20 -30 minutes
until the pump gets has run a while to check for a pump fading out after hot.

Hard to start cold or hot and fuel pressure testing guide lines.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
If pump has full pressure with return line blocked and low pressure without it blocked most usually the fuel pressure regulator is leaking or not holding pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak in system.
Post back fuel pressure readings.

Alright finally got around to checking, fuel presure is 65lbs when key is turned on then slowly drops presure to around 30lbs as I leave the key on. Once I turn the key off and then on again samething happens 65lbs when key is turned on then slowly drops presure to around 30lbs as I leave the key on. Also as I said previously when I pour fresh gas down the throttle body it will start right up then die? Should the fuel presure bleed down on its own with key on? Also, as I checked the fuel presure I noticed a coffee looking substance in the relief line to the fuel presure gauge. Not alot, just every couple of inches in the clear tube. Obviously, theres trash in the fuel so I'm removing the tank to clean out and will replace the fuel filter, but wondered if I should replace the fuel pump mogule in the tank or are these presure readings normal?

your immidiate responses appreciated,
:banghead:
Thanks again

Alright finally got around to checking, fuel presure is 65lbs when key is turned on then slowly drops presure to around 30lbs as I leave the key on. Once I turn the key off and then on again samething happens 65lbs when key is turned on then slowly drops presure to around 30lbs as I leave the key on. Also as I said previously when I pour fresh gas down the throttle body it will start right up then die? Should the fuel presure bleed down on its own with key on? Also, as I checked the fuel presure I noticed a coffee looking substance in the relief line to the fuel presure gauge. Not alot, just every couple of inches in the clear tube. Obviously, theres trash in the fuel so I'm removing the tank to clean out and will replace the fuel filter, but wondered if I should replace the fuel pump mogule in the tank or are these presure readings normal?

your immidiate responses appreciated,
:banghead:
Thanks again


You did not post back any of the fuel pump test pressue readings.

Fixed! Runs Great! Ended up replacing the tank, fuel pump mogule, filter, injector assembly, and flushing the fuel lines. Apparently the tank had water and trash in it and how it got there is anyones guess.

:smile:Thanks for everyones help!:smile:

Fixed! Runs Great! Ended up replacing the tank, fuel pump mogule, filter, injector assembly, and flushing the fuel lines. Apparently the tank had water and trash in it and how it got there is anyones guess.

:smile:Thanks for everyones help!:smile:

You are welcome and thanks for posting back how it went.