Why does my Chevy G20 van crank but not start, or start and die?

Short answer: If a G20 van cranks but won't fire, first find out whether it's spark or fuel. No spark often means the ignition module in the distributor. If a little starting fluid makes it run for a moment, look at fuel pressure: one owner's problem was a hole in a short rubber hose at the in-tank pump. A van that sat with a dead battery needs a full charge and a battery and alternator test, not just a quick jump.

Symptom: The engine cranks over normally but never catches, or it starts and dies after a second or two. Sometimes it has sat for weeks.

What to check first

1. Charge the battery fully, have it tested, and check the cable ends for corrosion.
2. Check for spark at a plug wire while someone cranks.
3. Turn the key to run and listen for the fuel pump to hum for two seconds.
4. If you have a gauge, check fuel pressure at the throttle body. Low pressure with a running pump points to a leak at the pump hose.
5. A small amount of starting fluid in the intake: if it fires and dies, it's fuel.

Likely causes

1. Ignition module. The module inside the distributor switches the coil on and off. When it fails, the engine cranks but there's no spark.
2. Torn short fuel hose at the pump. A short rubber hose connects to the pump. A hole in it lets fuel leak back instead of building pressure.
3. Dead or worn-out battery or weak alternator. After a van sits, a weak battery may not even light the dash. A quick jump may not be enough if the battery is badly drained, and a weak alternator can let it die once the cables come off.
4. Fuel pump or relay. If no fuel reaches the engine at all, the in-tank pump or its relay may be dead.

What it usually costs

Owners in these threads didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A van that starts and dies can stall in traffic. Fix it before relying on it. Don't keep pouring raw gas into the intake as a fix; it's a fire risk.

DIY or shop?

Battery, spark tests and the ignition module are DIY. The pump hose means dropping the tank, which is easier for a shop with a lift.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists recall 96V186000 for some 1996 vans: water getting into the kick panels in front of the doors can corrode the wiring between the battery feed and ground. That can cause electrical problems, so it's worth checking on a 1996. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 42 keyword-matched complaints for Chevrolet G20 / Chevy Van 1985–1996 (of 336 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-30; keywords: start, stall, ignition, fuel, battery) (NHTSA returned no data for 61 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1989 chevy g20 van 4.3 turns over but won't start on Car Talk, a 1989 G20 cranked but wouldn't start. Gas came out at the filter line, but the two throttle-body injectors didn't spray. Members said to check for spark and read the old-style codes, and several pointed to the ignition module inside the distributor as the most likely cause and an easy swap.
• In 1991 CHEVY G20 350 no start problem - fuel system on Car Talk, a 1991 G20 that sat 8 months would only run if gas was poured in. The owner found the pump itself was fine; fuel pressure was low because of a hole in a two-inch piece of rubber hose connected to the pump. The owner said that hose only came in the whole pump kit, and advised checking fuel pressure first.
• In 89 Chevy Van won't stay running on Car Talk, an '89 Chevy Van that sat 4 weeks had no lights, no radio and wouldn't crank, and after a jump it wouldn't stay running. Members said to fully charge the battery and then test it, and one suspected the alternator, since an engine with a good alternator should keep running once started.

Quick tip

On these vans, check spark first. The ignition module is cheap and fails a lot, and it saves you from dropping a tank you didn't need to.

Vehicle focus: Chevrolet G20 / Chevy Van, 1985-1996, 4.3 V6 and 5.7 V8.

Safety / mechanic note

Stalling and fuel leaks are safety items. Verify with a mechanic.