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1999 Chevy Express Van, mileage 130000. Had been have a starting problem for sometime where it wouldn’t start on the first try...it would take at least three or four times before it would start. This problem would occur only on the first start in the morning after been sitting overnight. It started find every time during normal use during the day. If the vehicle sat longer for two days it would take even longer to start. Well, what ever the problem it finally failed completely because now it will not start at all. The fuel pump was replaced about a year ago and you can hear it running when you turn on the ignition. Service Engine Soon light has been on for about a year with the following OBD-II CODES:
P0452 Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Low Input (replaced the gas tank cap but did not clear this error)
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
What you're describing sounds an awful lot like a collapsed catalytic converter.
Open up the exhaust right before the cat(s) if possible and try to start the engine. If the engine starts, then the catalytic converter(s) need to be replaced.
With due respect, I suspect a fuel problem. When cranking it acts like it wants to start (would seem to eliminate a no spark issue. Even though I can hear the fuel pump buzzing when the ignition is turned on there seems to be little fuel pressure when depressing the fuel valve stem (fuel leaks out but does not squirt with pressure).
It turned out to be a fuel pressure problem as I suspected. Thanks, to Joe, I tried his suggestion to someone else with a similar problem to do a quick test by jump starting vehicle (used my battery charger). It started up right away. I will probably end up replacing the fuel pump though. As explained, due to a weak fuel pump and a weak battery it doesn't build up enough fuel pressure to start. The reason it starts normally on first try during the rest of the day is because the fuel pressure is holding enough to start but leaks out overnight due to a bad check valve in the fuel pump.
Still have the error codes to fix which I didn't think had anything to do with why it didn't start (they've been on for sometime before I had the starting problem).
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