Should I or shouldn't I?

[Ilovebigcats]

My van is still broke down. You have no idea what it is like to be locked down with 6 kids everyday with no escape for me or them.

Sooooooo... we have spent $500 and replaced the entire ignition system one part at a time. Only thing we can think of now if the computer or a new part we put on is bad.

IF IF IF it will start... it will run for about 30 minutes and die and wont start back. Typically anyways... it has done that about 4 times. I want to drive it down to Advance and get a free diagnostic test. Advance is about 1 mile from my house. I will have 2 stops signs and a red light and then have to cross traffic. If the van dies I could get some help pushing it to advance.

BUT I will have to turn the van OFF to have the test. It probably wont start back. If it does start back it probably wont make it home and I will have to leave it until it will start again (usually takes a full day). If it breaks down on the way back home then there is NO pushing it. It is ALL up hill. We aren't in the best part of town BUT it also isn't the best vehicle to look to steal or break into. NOTHING is in it but it does have good tires. *sigh*

I just don't want to have to get it towed AGAIN. Especially 2 blocks from the house! We have spent $125 just in towing it twice. Should I risk it???? What would you do?

[Ilovebigcats]

Nevermind. It tried to start but then didn't. Now it wont even come close to firing. You gotta get it that first time or it is done for a day.

I need a mechanic in the family.

[rough_rider]

You spent a total of $625.00 on this van and STILL don't have in fixed
That's why if my Vehicles break down, I have them towed right to our Mechanic and it gets fixed right the first time. Save yourself some time and money, find a good Mechanic (not a backyard Mechanic ) .

[macgulley]

It looks like you could buy the code reader for less than $30 and get the codes yourself. Now, whether that will tell you the problem or not is a different story but that's all Advance will normally be able to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3145-Ford-Digital-Reader/dp/B000EW0KHW

[paul]

This might be a long shot......several years ago the car I had began acting up. Somthing similar to what you described. When it started it would run for a while then just die as if it was not getting gas. After sitting for sometime it would start, then the same thing again.

What I found out was that in the gas tank on the main line and on that line was a sock like filter. Somehow trash had gotten in the tank and when I began to drive the trash would be drawn to the filter and the car would stop. After sitting for a day or so the trash would drop back to the botton of the tank and it would start.

Long shot, but who knows ???

[Ilovebigcats]

That tank has $80 worth of gas in it!
Our cars only break down when we fill them up!

Actually we know it is a sparking problem. Gas has nothing to do with the spark. It is something in the ignition system. Stupid van.

Nice try though...

He needs one of those long shot tshirts Dr Ron!

[SBW]

Hello.

I do not post very often, but thought I would add my experience here.

I have had two episodes with on-board computers in the past. We had a van that would not start one Sunday morning. No "clicks", dash lights, or anything. Changed the battery...didn't help. It ended up being the computer. My mechanic replaced it, started immediately.

The second episode was similar to what you have described. I had a truck that might crank, or it might not. When it did not, It got no fire (spark) at all. It ended up being a sensor. The engine has several sensors that the computer will test before allowing fire to the ignition system. My mechanic tested each sensor until he found the bad one, which was near the transmission. He replaced the sensor, and I never had another problem.

I don't know if this will help you, but I thought I would add my comments.

[dolfan]

When did you put in that $80 in gas? It may now be worth about $90, which means your vehicle is probably worth more than it was when you filled it up. Don't listen to these negative-nellies --- good investment!!

I'm just kidding, you know. My recommendation is to actually wreck the van. My 98 Accord was acting very similarly to your van when I wrecked it in August of 2006. It wouldn't die for a day, but it would die while you were going full speed down the road, and it might not start back immediately -- but it would start back soon enough. Fortunately for me, I slid through a wet curve on a rainy day when I wasn't paying as close attention to the road conditions as I should've been -- translation: I was going too fast. The saplings growing on the side of a hill fixed my car for me by totaling it.

Good luck on yours!!!

[Gerald Creasy]

That tank has $80 worth of gas in it!
Our cars only break down when we fill them up!

Actually we know it is a sparking problem. Gas has nothing to do with the spark. It is something in the ignition system. Stupid van.

Nice try though...

He needs one of those long shot tshirts Dr Ron!

Forgive me for asking but do you buy cheap gas?

The reason I ask is I had a Toyota tercel that behaved in a similar way, cut out, not start....let it sit and after an unspecified time it'd start again.
Mechanic told me I needed a new carb. but the one I had was two years old so I knew he was wrong.

I ended up getting rid of the car after I broke a Front wheel drive axle (for the third time) and the Volkswagen I got next began behaving the SAME way.

I found another family member was having the same problem with their Ford Tbird.

Common Factor: All using gas from ONE cut rate Quick Stop. As soon as we stopped the problems stopped.

[Ilovebigcats]

Forgive me for asking but do you buy cheap gas?

What's cheap gas?





I get the cheapest I can find. Mapco special.

[Gerald Creasy]

Forgive me for asking but do you buy cheap gas?

What's cheap gas?





I get the cheapest I can find. Mapco special.

MAy be your problem.