My 03 GC Sport stalled on my wife as she pulled into our daughter's school. She thought she ran it dry of fuel and so I promptly brought a 1gal jug(only one I had) full of gas and put it in the van. Crank but no start. Ok let's try another gal. Of gas. Starts but runs rough. Went directly to gas station 1 km down the road, put 30litres in and drove back to get my car (1km) with no issues until we pulled into the school again. Stalled and won't start. Ok so the fuel pump maybe picked up debris because of running it dry. Put a new filter on THE NEXT DAY to be specific. Runs great and drove home (4-5 km) then stalls again. Checked fuel at the rail which I also did before putting on the new filter; however, I did not know that there was a check valve in the line at the rail. Which, if not depressed, won't throw fuel when pump turns on. Anyways, I have fuel. So let's check spark, yup spark. Plugs were blackened pretty bad so replaced anyways. Still only seems to start some of the time and when it does run its poorly and won't rev past 4k. it seems to throw a large amount of black soot from exhaust. Will stall abruptly when I do get it running, sometimes it will run for 4-5 min. On top of all that there are no codes when I do the keydance, So:

Starts only sometimes, not necessarily after a long wait.
Runs rough, stays under 4k
Black soot from exhaust
No codes shown after key-dance

I suppose I should mention the harness that notoriously melts by the power steering res. has already been repaired by previous owner and the computer by the battery seems to be aftermarket (yellow marker marking the date last year)

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm thinking a TPS or MAP sensor but I'm not familiar with these vans as this is the first one we've owned (about a year now)
Thanks.

 

TPS and MAP? Ya I would test them just to eliminate them:

http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/chr...e-map-sensor-1
http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/chr...he-tp-sensor-1

Have you considered a vacuum leak? Might check for codes with a scanner.

 

So I checked the voltages as per the link (very informative thank you!) and they are showing ok other than only 3v to the MAP sensor. It does decrease in voltage when vacuum is applied though. I'm wondering what the sensor is that's located above the TPS. can it be tested the same way? I should get it checked with a proper scan tool. I have also checked all hoses that are easily accessible for cracks/leaks, no problems. It did start up and drive today for ten min or so and then abruptly quit while idling. There is also a CEL but it's saying p1684 for the battery disconnect as per the keydance. I'm hoping it's not the PCM. I've read you need to reprogram any new computer to your VIN. Boo..
Thanks again for your time!

 

Fuel pump will do this. Had it happen on both of my vehicles. Sometimes it'll hold pressure sometimes it wont. Sometimes it'll fire up and run great, then die 5 miles down the road, sometimes it wont start at all. I had 3 pumps do this to me (2 factory's, 1 new), ended up the seals were bad in them and they wouldn't hold pressure.

Test at the rail. Cycle the key to get pressure, then shut it off. The pressure should stay, if it falls (leaks down) the pump is bad. Find out what your supposed to have for pressure at idle and certain throttle positions (loads) and check those as well.