Well, I did find them out at the Walmart, and yeah, the starter fluid fired it up. The guy (I forget his name already!) thinks wiring but....
I told them about my fuel pump story and how the pirate mechanic diagnosed it after spraying starter fluid(fired right up). He yarded on the gas tank with a 2 x 4, and then said "Crank on it" and it started again...He said "It's your fuel pump." hahah
But he didn't seem ready to run that diagnostic. Anyway - they are safe at WM, we had a beer(well, I had no alcohol, but thought they could use one) and some food, and tomorrow he is going to see what he can see, about why it won't go. Sounds like he is mechanically inclined, which puts him many steps ahead of me. But his van seems to be acting just as mine did when the fuel pump went.
Oh! One thing they mentioned. They heard the humming sound of fuel pump the other night - but when the van was OFF, no key in ignition and had been sitting. I guess that is why he thinks wiring, but could the fuel pump have "kept going" or something after it was supposed to shut down (hence the hum), and worn out?
So when I've said the wiring, I mean the wiring to the fuel pump, the van has an electric pump cause its a throttle body injected motor. Not quite sure how to easily test the wiring so probably going to drop the tank, remove the pump and test it if that's the problem we are hoping an individual from Sacramento doesnt flake on buying some stuff so we can replace the pump, otherwise its a cardboard sign again until we get our tax returns. Thanks for everyone's advice and assistance.
Gotta love Craigslist flakes, anyone interested in buying a brand new 145 watt solar panel? Or some brand new ascenders or brand new climbing shoes so hopefully we can fix this beast?
I've had luck just buying a generic fuel pump, cutting the fuel line somewhere in the middle and hard wiring the pump to the battery and a switch on the dash. Can't say I really recommend it but it's gotten a couple junkers down the road a few months when I needed to.
THIS MAY BE A GOOD DESRIPTION OF LOCATION.. mebbe not
Fuel pump relay is located under the hood on passenger side bolted to the firewall a few inches below the windshield. It is black and has wires going into it.
Let us know!