Ok, so here's the deal...I recently traded some labor in exchange for a 1994 B250 Cargo Van with a 5.9L V-8. The first week and a half, everything was great, then suddenly a few mornings ago, my van wouldn't start. A few hours later I went outside and it fired right up. As night set in, the temperature got cooler and the air got moist, same problem! It turns over like nobody's business, but it won't fire! Next morning, same problem. Money being tight, I decided to start with the most inexpensive things I could think of-new rotor, distributor cap and spark plugs. The wires actually appear good, so I left them alone for now. I didn't notice any cracks in the old cap, the old rotor looked good and no fouling of the old plugs. Went outside this morning, same problem! Turns over great, but won't fire! Waited 2 hours for the air to warm up/dry up, it fires up. Now I'm certain this van is too new to have the old infamous ceramic ballast, so I'm at a loss as to what this could be. Any help here would be greatly appreciated, as I said, money is tight and I can't afford to take it to a garage. Thanks in advance.

 

One thing I should add is that the fuel gauge does NOT work. The previous owner, who was the original owner, said it hasn't worked in years. He just refilled and reset the tripmeter every 300 miles. Not sure if this info is pertinent, as this seems to be a bad gauge versus a sending unit issue.

 

The most inexpensive thing would've been to come here first!

The next time it doesn't start, take a hairdryer and warm up the PCM under the hood. Don't try and cook it, just warm it up to 80 degrees or so. If the van starts after warming it up, you will need to replace the PCM.

 

I just replaced the ignition coil as well, seeing as how the old coil was all rusted up and the laminated layers were coming apart. Now I have to wait for nightfall to try it again. Alloro, if it happens again, where do I find the PCM and what does it look like?

 

I'm not sure where it is in a 94 but it looks like the one at this link: http://www.cardone.com/English/club/...ARTNUM=79-6671

 

Open the hood and the PCM is mounted right above the engine on the firewall. Easy to get to.

 

It's not there for 1994 models. I think it was moved there starting in 1997.

 

It is on my 94 B250.

 

First, I'd like to say you are correct, sparkzz, my PCM is on the firewall directly above center of the motor. After my full tune-up, I went outside this morning to give it a try....turns over like mad, won't fire. So I came inside, borrowed my wife's hairdryer, heated the PCM with it for about 4 minutes, turned the key and it fired right up! Alloro, you're a genius, thank you so much! Now all I hafta do is find out where to get a PCM at a decent price and I should be back on the road!

 

Egg on my face I suppose!