Need help! 92' B250 with 64k original miles. Had random stalling start up but now I get nothing when moving key to start possition. I have power to gages and lights but no sound when trying to turn van on. Did this a few time over last few months but would always crack on second attempt. Did this last month and I tugged on the clump of wires coming off base of stearing column and it started. Now I get nothing. Battery and connections are ok, starter is new, re-tested strong. Thinking it's the ignition switch or lose wire in column? Would this also cause random stalling if had a short? Where do I start on this, remove stearing wheel and column covers?

 

I would first try pulling off and then reinstalling the ignition switch connector a few times just to scratch up those 20-year old terminals a bit. If that doesn't solve it then replace the ignition switch.

 

clean the grounds from batt

 

The two battery grounds were solid. I replaced ignition switch since it was 30 bucks and expected (hoped) for that to work but it did not. I had it towed to a local garage I trust. Will post back when they look into it. Whatever it is I hope fixes the stalling issues as well.

 

I had a similar problem on a '94. I wasn't getting anything from the yellow wire on the ignition in any key position. I traced the wire to that big connector on the right side of the firewall by the brake
booster. I pulled that big connector loose, reseated it a couple of times -- problem solved. It's been so long ago, I don't really remember, but I think that wire eventually goes to the starter relay.

 

Shop called, it started up for them....go figure. Has to be electrical connection someplace. Will check that wiring as Sparkzz suggested and clean up connections per Alloro. Assume this could be cause of some stalling while driving too? I replaced IAC recently which helped one problem.

 

subscrbed---any updates?

 

After the tow in it started up normal for shop who had it for week plus (didn't charge me a dime either). I've driven it for a few days now as well and no issues (knock on wood). Troubling though, when I replaced the ignition module on steering column it would not start still but the tow perhaps jared connections enough to allow normal connection within ignition. Afraid it will fail again, at that point I'll have to start tracing all wire connections and cleaning them. Noticed my battery is charging higher than normal now but not out of spec, just slightly higher. Idles down pretty low sometimes at a light or stop sign but does not stall (IAC was replaced recently). Starting is strong from ignition, fires right up. Not much else to say unless it fails again but had been doing this on and off for 6 months prior. Will report back if issue happens again. Maybe all you B250 owners just need to put your van in "timeout" in the corner to straighten out it's attitude.
Next on the list, find out why I have some spark knock around 45 mph when it shifts into 4th gear but not giving it heavy gas peddle. I remapped the new plug wires to be sure they were not touching anything and covered them with that plastic wire covering (this helped but did not fix). Might all have to do with week coil or pickup in disti which I hear are notorious for issues too.
I have only 64k on this van but 20 years takes in toll just as much as mileage. Averge about 11 mpg on a tank with most of this city driving. Maybe 13.8 if all hwy. Think this is pretty normal.

 

Just had the same problem. Mechanic replaced ignition, improved wiring under dash, got her going then when he drove her out of the bay she did the original thing. He traced it to a relay which had wiggled loose and worked then didn't. Oh well, I've got a cool new key now and an ignition switch which lights up.

 

Here's what it's doing now. Will stall randomly, usually at idle. It will not start again until the check engine light pops up and you can hear the fuel pump relay engage (is it the ASD relay?) within the dash. This took about 30 minutes one night but only 30 seconds this monring. What would cause the check engine light to not appear and no kick on for the fuel pressure/asd relay/whatever it's called?
I did take the new disti cap (6 months old) off this weekend and cleaned the aluminum points which already had white crusty build up. That fixed the ruff idle and helped my spark knock. I will replace it with a brass one this weekend. Maybe this cap is the problem but not sure? I pulled the crankshaft poss sensor too and wiped it off. Cleaned all my grounds, battery terminals, checked wiring under hood and below.