Crank no start with arcing plug wires

[chrissmith318]

Please HELLLLPPPPPPP I just bought a 98 Safari. The guy told me that it is a hard start. It needs to have starter fluid to start. This is in fact true. Fuel pressure is 60 psi and and holds for a long time. It will eventually bleed off to 0, but as soon as the key is turned on, right back to 60. At night, when I was trying to crank it to look for arcing from the wires, I found that all wires have a very faint glow anywheres near a bracket, or when you touch them. There is no shock felt, but just a glowing. And when I stop cranking there is a couple of sparks at the cool. So I replaced the coil, spark plugs and wires, cap and rotor, but it is still the same issue. Is this normal, and I need to start looking at a fuel issue? Or will the issue be in the spark? When the Van actually starts, there is no signs of arcing or glowing in the spark plug wires.

[Rod's Trucks]

NO! That is not normal!
I would suggest looking at the plugs, to check for an extra wide gap. If the plug gaps are OK and the plugs do not look too worn, then a new set of wires is likely needed.
Since this is a new (to you) vehicle; if you do not know the recent history, a new set of plugs and wires is a good bit of insurance.
And while you have the doghouse off, save yourself some later effort and frustration. Check and/or replace the vacuum lines you can reach.
Rod J

[chrissmith318]

I put new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil. The problem is still the same.

[Leeann_93]

You need to find the fuel leakdown problem. It’s either in the pump (usually the check valve or pulsator - short piece of hose that connects the pump to the hanger assembly) or in the fuel injector.

If you need starting fluid to start, it’s because you don’t have enough fuel pressure. 60 psi actually is a little low; you should see 62psi minimum. Clearly you have enough spark since adding volatile fuel (starting fluid) allows it to start.

[AstroWill]

I put new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil. The problem is still the same.

Well, if your wires were arcing as you said, at a minimum the wires were needed regardless. I would check for Pancake Distributor Disease while you are in there.

Next step, like Leeann said, is to look at your fuel situation.

[chrissmith318]

What is the pancake distributor disease?

[augidog]

https://www.astrosafari.com/search.php? ... disease%3F
____________________^^^

[AstroWill]

What is the pancake distributor disease?

https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafa ... or-disease