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Hi Susan , when you turn the key to the start position does the starter engage an spin the engine ? If yes , pull a spark plug wire an check for spark , do you know how to do that ? You can buy a spark tester at the auto parts store or stick a screw in the spark plug boot a hold it near ground .( metal on the engine ) Have someone crank the engine . Does it have spark ? If not could be the coil or crankshaft position sensor . Watch this video !
Since the engine light is back on the code is likely to help you diagnose the problem.
1. If you have a code reader for your car plug it in and it should tell you what the computer thinks the problem is.
Remember for the engine to miss it has to be loosing fuel or spark. The spark plugs are only one of the parts required to make a reliable spark in the plug as the engine is running.
2. Check the spark plug wires and the distributor internal for rust contamination around the reluctor magnet area. The 4.3 chevys are bad for this. Have someone start the car for you at night while you look under the hood for spark leakage. In the dark any wire leaking spark enough to make it miss on acceleration will flash blue lights in the dark.
3. Replace the fuel filter.
4. Check for vacuum leaks in the rubber tubing plugged in to the intake manifold.
5. Make sure the battery to engine ground cable is in good condition at both ends and tight.
6. Make sure the battery to chassis ground wire is connected clean and tight.
Good luck.
Providing that your timing belt is ok and your engine tune up is such that the engine was running smoothly, you need three basic things for the engine to turn on. 1) Air and 2) fuel 3)Spark. To see if you are getting a spark, you can disconnect a spark plug wire from the spark plug and lay it next to the engine. have someone crank the engine over and listen for a spark sound. You will probably not be able to see the spark during the day. you can see the spark if it's dark outside. if you have a spark then connect the spark plug wire back to the spark plug. disconnect the hose from the throttle body. This hose comes from the air filter housing to the throttle body. Have someone hold the gas pedal down and spray some engine starter fluid that you can buy at the auto parts. Release the gas pedal, then hold the gas pedal down slighly and crank the engine. If the engine turns on and then turns off, check to see if you are not out of gas. if gas level is ok, your fuel filter may need to be replaced.
have someone turn the ingnition on ( without starting the car ) while you listen by the gas tank. if you dont hear a buzzing sound coming from the tank then the fuel pump needs to be replaced. if you do hear a buzzing then your problem is most likely spark issue. pull a spark plug out of the motor plug it back into its wire and have someone turn the car over and check to see if it sparks. is the check engine light on?
There are two ways to replacing the 3 rear spark plugs.
1. You can remove the two dog bone engine mount in front of the engine bay and tilt the engine forward, so you can reach the spark plugs over the top of the engine with extension and swivel with the ratchet.
2. You can jack up the front end up and go from the bottom of the van. Your going to also need to use extension and a swivel with the ratchet and have to work by feeling your way around.
Careful not to damage the spark plug wires if your not going to replace them.
Good luck and be safe, the easiest way for you to tilt the engine forward is to place the transmission in park and place the parking brakes on with a block in front and behind the back wheels. Disconnect the dog bone engine mount, remove the block from the front of the back wheels. Take the parking brakes off and push the Montana forward and this will tilt the engine forward. Once tilted, place the parking brakes back on and relocate the block to the back wheels.
Follow the instructions in revers to connect the bog bone once again and be safe, better that you have someone help you tilt the engine if your going to do the #1 method.
Pull one of the spark plug boots from a spark plug and hold the removed end of the spark plug close to a screw or bolt....have someone turn the key over and look for a spark to jump from the boot to the metal.
First remove spark plug. #8 plug is, if sitting in truck, left rear plug. Have someone crank engine while you hold spark plug, connected to plug wire, ground plug to ground. Check spark. If no spark, remove plug wire from coil, connect test light from coil to ground, see if you get spark, if no spark replace coil. Leave cylinder #8 open to air to dry any unburnt fuel in cylinder.
You may have a faulty throttle position sensor. Before blaming this part, it would be good to replace your plug wires and check that you have good spark to each cylinder. You can remove one spark plug, put back into wire and lay on top of engine block. Have someone else turn motor over well you watch for a good spark. Do this for each cylinder and plug. It is good to replace the wires just as often as the plugs themselves. A faulty fuel injector or vacuum leak will also cause misfire.
Your distruber cap may need to be replace or re-aligned if your not getting spark. I would have someone check for spark. All this takes is a muti-meter or removing one spark plug and then plug back in and place the other end of plug to the engin to ground it. Then while trying to start have someone look at the plug to see if it sparks!
Good Luck!
Hope this helps!!
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