Van won’t start P0300 no spark no ignition

[Sardiver3]

Had a bit of a let down this morning as my 200 Astro with 90,000 Miles let me a bit stranded this morning and would not start. The SES light came on just a day or two ago indicating a p0300 miss fire code. I had read the forums, ordered me a brand new Skip White 6671-BK distributor in preparation to change that as hopefully being the issue. Unfortunately the new distributor did not arrive yet so I went to my LPS and opted for the cheapest component being an AC Delco Rotor. This was my first time removing the doghouse, I watched a you tube video for instruction and removed the Distributor Cap swapping out the Rotor. The inside of the Distributor Cap looked good and there was minimal play in the shaft. The Rotor did have some burn marks however. I was quite pleased with my handy work as this obviously was the issue because the van started up after the replacement. A couple things I wanted to ask since I’ve not seen this part of the engine yet so I will post some pics as well as the short You Tube video I made. Both valve covers appeared to be covered in dry oil, is that an indication of a leak somewhere? After replacing the Rotor. The van did not turn over on the first key turn. The second time however the van turned over a little rough but evened out. I was ecstatic as this meant I would not have to burn a sick day at work. A P0340 Cam sensor code showed up as the car was running and I had to clear that 3 Times before it disappeared completely. The van runs and idles smoother than before.

https://youtu.be/2VXPHIbOn90

[TurnNburn]

The camshaft position sensor is apart of the distributor (the bottom part, that you didn't replace) and explains the extended crank

Put the new one in when it shows up and you should be golden once more

[Sardiver3]

Awesome, Thanks Turnburn

[Leeann_93]

Yep, what TnB said.

The cap and rotor were pretty toast, but the new distributor, installed correctly, should fix all.

[Sardiver3]

The van is starting up and driving well but the P0340 code keeps coming up now. Are you saying that once I replace the distributor with the new skip White, this code should go away? Or should I order a new Camshaft Position Sensor? Also does it look like I need 2 PCV Valves? (Pics of Valve covers) I'm showing 90,000 on odometer. Anything else I should replace, while I'm at it? Thank You for all your help.

[TurnNburn]

The cam shaft sensor is IN the distributor and will come in the new one, so when you replace the distributor, you will also be replacing the CMP sensor.

[Sardiver3]

Ahh ok thank you

[Sardiver3]

The new Skip White Distributor came and I had a mechanic install it because I didn't want to mess with the timing issue. He charged me $190 in labor just to install it. I had the doghouse partially removed so I'm thinking that should've been an hour job? Then he tells me that there is a P0306 code that came up and they erased it. Didn't have that code before, just P0300 and P0340. I drove it for a few days and the light did not come on and still felt like it was running a little off at idle now the P0306 code is back on for the #6 cylinder misfire. I asked them to change the plugs but they said they didn't have time even though I had the van in at 7am and they didn't call me until 1pm to say it was ready. I just think they didn't want to mess with the plugs. Any thoughts?

[TurnNburn]

Seems pretty steep to replace a distributor...

you can do plugs, its not that hard. im sure there is a couple of utube vids that will help walk you through it

[Sardiver3]

ok, that was going to be my next move.

[WinnieVan]

Yea wow that's a lot of money - replacing the distributor is pretty easy... I was scared the first time I did it.. but with a good scan tool you don't even need to mess with setting TDC (I don't think at least).

Plugs are relatively straight-forward.. before my lift I did both sides while under the van using a universal joint and various socket extensions.

[Leeann_93]

That's an awful lot of money just to swap a distributor right there in front of them.

[Sardiver3]

This is a recap;
Van would not start, the only code that was coming up was P0300. I swapped the rotor, Motor started up and I was good to go but P0340 came up indicating the Cam sensor. I ordered a Skip White Distributor but I didn't want to mess with the TDC timing issue so I took it to a local shop I've used before. They charged me $190 in labor just to put the Distributor in. The mechanic told me P0306 came up afterward on their scanner meaning there was a misfire #6 cylinder. He told me I may need new wires and plugs first and possibly a new injector rail? He said he cleared the codes so I drove the car for 2 days with no codes. Now the van has intermittent hard starts and rough idle. Today I checked the codes because the check engine light came back on and I get P0300, P0306 and P0155 Oxygen Sensor? Could they have done something when they put the new distributor in that is now causing the new codes or is this just a coincidence with the van approaching 100,000 miles? I did order new plugs and wires. Should I order a new Oxygen sensor and maybe some PCV valves. Notice in the pics how oily my valve covers are. There are 2 PCV Valves and one Oxygen sensor right? Thanks in advance.

[WimpTech]

OK... IMHO...


NEVER use that mechanic again, they do not understand your van at ALL. That is under 1 hour job and they charged you 2 hours. Also, it doesn't have fuel rails, it has an injection manifold (aka spider).
There is 1 PCV (driver side valve cover and 3 O2 sensors total. However... Instead of throwing parts at the problem, lets get some data...

First off, has the fuel filter been replaced in the last 15k miles? If not, lets start there. You can fill the new one up with Techron cleaner and carefully reinstall. It will spill some so be ready. This will give a blast right to the spider and dissolve any gunk thats in there... mostly. Crank it over a little, let it sit for about 10 mins then start it up.

Did P0306 come back after clearing? It sounds like those are new problems so I would suspect the mechanic messed something up, maybe even on purpose

If so, check the wires at the dizzy and plug.
Use this diagram for reference:


If the wires are original, let's get them changed because its time. If newer, let's get the wire off and measure resistance between posts, post results here.

IF thats OK, next is to pull #6 spark plug and post a pic here.

Good luck my friend.

[TurnNburn]

Hard say, chicken or the egg

Not a bad idea to pop the dog house off like wimp said and double check their work

Chances are your engine wasn't running very good with the bad dizzy and fouled your plugs or if something else is going on.

I wouldn't worry about the oxygen sensor right now with all of the misfires (although that is an electrical internal fault to the heater element) as it wont effect hot running characteristics(although may be a possible cause of your hard starts).

And you have 1 pcv and 4 oxygen sensors. the one throwing a code is the upstream sensor on bank 2.

[Sardiver3]

Awesome guys, Thanks a ton

[Sardiver3]

Finally got some time to get the van up to my dads so we could address the check engine light. I was actually able to replace all three plugs and wires on the passenger side by cranking the wheels to the left and going in through the wheel well. The drivers side was a different story. After changing the passenger side plugs and wires I cleared the P0306 P0300 codes and they did not come back during the trip from San Diego to LA. My dad and I did the following and the van runs great right now.
Tune Up for the Astro Van
93,000
Lube/oil/filter
Quaker 5W30 Syn Blend
AC Delco PF47E
Autolite platinum plugs
New USA 7.5mm wires
PCV Valve
Fuel Filter
CV Boot axle x2
Skip White Distributor

[AstroWill]

Are you sure that jack will reach under there ;)

Great job on the tuneup, glad to hear it's running properly for you now!

[Sardiver3]

My dad is retired from the auto mechanic business. That was his dads jack when he owned the shop. Still works great : )" Now if I can just talk him into tackling the left with me I will be a happy camper. I have all the parts ready to go 3+1.

[TurnNburn]

since you didn't say it specifically that you did them, and you kind of elude that you didnt... did you end up doing the drivers side plugs and wires too?