- A dirty fuel filter. A dirty fuel filter can restrict the flow of fuel to the engine, causing it to hesitate when you start it. If your fuel filter is clogged, you may notice other symptoms, such as a decrease in fuel economy or a rough idle.
- Spark plugs. Worn or fouled spark plugs can also cause your van to hesitate on takeoff. When spark plugs are worn, they can't create the spark that is necessary to ignite the fuel in the engine's cylinders. If you have worn spark plugs, you may also notice other symptoms, such as a decrease in fuel economy or a rough idle.
- A faulty oxygen sensor. An oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas, and this information is used by the engine's computer to control the fuel mixture. If the oxygen sensor is faulty, it can provide incorrect information to the computer, causing the engine to run lean or rich. Both of these conditions can cause the engine to hesitate when you start it.
- A faulty fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pressure regulator controls the pressure of the fuel in the fuel system. If the fuel pressure regulator is faulty, it can cause the fuel pressure to be too high or too low. Both of these conditions can cause the engine to hesitate when you start it.
- A faulty ignition coil. The ignition coil provides the electrical current that is needed to create a spark at the spark plugs. If the ignition coil is faulty, it can cause the spark to be weak or intermittent, which can lead to hesitation on take off.
If you are experiencing hesitation on take off with your Chevy Astro Van, it is important to identify and correct the cause as soon as possible. Hesitation on takeoff can indicate a problem with the engine or fuel system, and it can also be dangerous.
