Having an issue with the wife's 2001 caravan sport...

Just in the last day,the van will crank - but not turn over on the first try. Usually it will catch on the second try. If you drive for a few minutes, then shut off the engine it will start on the first try. However, if it sits for more than a few minutes - it will not crank the first time.

The van has about 150,000 miles on it. It has fairly new plugs and wires, and had the throttle body serviced a couple of months ago. It has been running normally other than the starting issue. Check engine light has not come on.

Any thoughts on where to start looking on this?

 

Start with a fuel leak bleeding pressure off. Your fuel system is always pressurized key on or off. A leak anywhere will bleed the pressure down. Could be external to the tank, the pump assembly in the tank, a fuel injector or the fuel rail. Do you smell raw gas either in the rear or up front?

When you turn the key to run (not start) the fuel pump will turn on for a second then turn off. Should hear a slight hum in the back. Try doing this a few times to build pressure back up then start. If it make a difference you have a leak.

Coincidentally, I just ran into the same thing a few days ago on my van. First start of the day takes 8-10 revolutions to start or a second try. In my case, I smell fuel under the hood so I've either got a leaking fuel rail or injector. Time to do some wrenchin.

 

I think you may be right on the pressure issue. Turning it to on a couple of times and then cranking usually gets it to start on the first try.

I haven't actually seen a leak yet, but I'll keep looking.