[lowbreaker]

2000 Astro

Noticed check engine light yesterday while driving, so this morning since i was about to drive 150 miles I decided to check the code just in case.
I initially fired up the engine for about 30 seconds before turning it off and plugging in OBD2 scanner, so i know engine was totally fine this morning.
Checked code - Was a gas evap leak code - likely my old gas cap...minor issue right?

I cleared the code using my cheap (but not the cheapest) OBD2 Bluetooth scanner, and the Check light blinked off of the dash.
Went to fire up van and hit the road and noticed the check engine light was the ONLY warning light that did not illuminate while key was in accessory position.
The lamp definitely works because it will flash for a split second when i first turn the key, but then remain dark.

Now the van cranks nice and strong, but will not fire.
The only thing i did before facing this problem was what i listed above.

1 thing to note- the tank was definitely 1/4 full the night before and now the gauge reads totally empty, and Low Fuel lamp is on.
I’m parked on an inner city street so there’s the (very) off chance someone siphoned my tank last night, so to be safe i dumped 2 gal in tank and still no help, needle didnt budge.
Thats the only other warning light showing besides my Brake/ABS lights which has already been on consistently since i got the van a few months ago.

Talked to two mechanic buddies and they were definitely stumped.

Anyone have any advice? I’m stranded without tools currently but would be great to get a list of things to check or look into.

 

[AstroWill]

Start with the basics, are you getting fuel and spark?

Check under the van for missing cat and damaged wiring?

 

[lowbreaker]

Yes to fuel (can hear the fuel pump running), and No to spark.

ECM1 fuse keeps blowing.

I cannot stress enough that the only thing that “happened” between this van starting and running as strong as always and now cranking with no start was that i plugged in a OBD2 scanner I’d used on several other vehicles (including this one), cleared an evap code, and now the 20a ECM1 fuse blows as soon as i turn the key, and Check Engine light does not illuminate at all with key.

 

[AstroWill]

Start by unplugging everything in that circuit, fuel injectors, PCM, CKP, ICM, Coil. Then see if it still blows the fuse. If it doesn't, start plugging them back in one at a time until it does.

 

[lowbreaker]

Thank you thats helpful advice, I’ll try it out and let you know.

 

[lowbreaker]

Followed your advice, unplugged everything on ECM1 circuit, then plugged back in checking for blown fuse - narrowed it down to the fuel injector harness as the culprit.
Spent a while inspecting wires as best i could for any obvious spots where wires might rub and short out, and cant find anything (yet).
Have to call it a night for now, but Does anyone have suggestions on where i should particularly look regarding a short in the injector harness wiring?
Spider was reportedly replaced in last 1000 miles, but is it possible the component is the problem and not the wiring?
How could i rule that out?

 

[AstroWill]

With the fuel injector connector disconnected it's fine and it blows a fuse with the connector connected?

Then the problem is somewhere in the fuel injector spider assy. Could be a failed/shorted coil, but probably a pinched wire/incorrect routing when the spider was installed. You can carefully ohm out each one to find the responsible injector/wiring. I guess I would take it back to whoever installed the injector spider.

 

[lowbreaker]

With the fuel injector connector disconnected it's fine and it blows a fuse with the connector connected?

Then the problem is somewhere in the fuel injector spider assy. Could be a failed/shorted coil, but probably a pinched wire/incorrect routing when the spider was installed. You can carefully ohm out each one to find the responsible injector/wiring. I guess I would take it back to whoever installed the injector spider.

Yes the fuse pops when i plug in the injector harness and then turn the key on.
Im mostly a novice at this, but i took a multimeter to the spider pins and two pins showed continuity to ground?
I’ve been looking for a diagram to figure out which ones they are, and haven’t figured it out yet. It’s the two pins on the drivers side, closest to the rear of engine.
Though maybe this is not a proper way to test them? I’m not as familiar with checking for ohms.
I didnt find continuity to ground on any of the ports in the wiring harness, so is that good to assume the problem is in the spider and not a short in the wiring?
Does this mean the spider needs to be pulled and repaired/replaced?

 

[AstroWill]

Yes, the fact that it doesn't blow the fuse with the harness disconnected means the problem is in the injector spider. They definitely should not show continuity to ground.
Sounds like damaged wiring under the upper intake, which will have to be pulled and the wiring repaired/replaced.

Please please please don't try to ohm out the wire harness with anything connected, it has to be isolated. If connected wrong you can damage the PCM, so don't do that.

 

[lowbreaker]

Got it, thank you again for all the advice and input, its been so so helpful.

Curious...do you have any inkling as to why this happened in perfect conjunction with me using my code reader and clearing that code? I mean as far as i can tell, when i cleared that code is when the ECM1 fuse popped, since the Check Engine light blinked out immediately instead of disappearing on the next startup, and the Check light has only returned since i was able to sus out the spider as the source of the short.
Is this just coincidence? I thought for sure all my problems would be with the ECM and definitely not other components like the spider.

 

[AstroWill]

Seems like coincidence to me. I can't see how they would be related.

The check engine light is most likely back because now the PCM is actually powered properly, which it would not be with a blown ECM1 fuse. Regardless if you are getting continuity to ground on your injectors there is something wrong there that has to be fixed, even if there are other issues as well.

 

[lowbreaker]

Bizarre. Thanks for all your input AstroWill, really appreciate it.

 

[AstroWill]

I think its extremely odd. I hope you post a picture of the wiring under the intake plenum, interested to see what happened.

 

[Jimmy111]

Check the connector you plugged your scan tool into. I had exactly the same issue when I went to a autozone and they plugged a scanner in. There was a small piece of metal that shorted out some pins.