The thirty second thing is a big clue. If I recall, it is probably a faulty
Temp II sensor or connection. When you start the car, the ECU runs it for
thirty seconds in "open loop" mode and than hands it over to the sensors to
determine how to run the car efficiently. If those sensors or their
connections fail (and this could include the 02 sensor, which can simply be
unplugged) the car will run crappy or die. Yours is a well-known syndrome
and I'm sure you're soon receive specific advise about how to test and
troublehoot it.

Jim

On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 8:00 AM, Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net>wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I'm trying to diagnose a problem with my van dying within 30seconds
> after a initial start.
>
> In the morning when I start the van is starts right up, runs anywhere
> from 10 to 30 seconds and then promptly dies.
>
> A restart (plus a bit of gas from pushing the gas pedal once) keeps
> everything going.
>
> I've tried a couple of things:
>
> Ensure that the gas pump is actually pumping. I can hear it when turning
> the key.
> Get the pump to run several times before the 1st start by turning the
> key from off to on and back again a couple of times.
>
> If the van has been running then a restart goes off without a hitch.
>
> I'm kind of wondering if maybe it's crap in the tank getting clogged in
> the fuel filter but I'm not sure. I'm certainly not seeing any other
> symptoms (lack of power, dying, etc. while driving) that I'd think would
> support the theory of "crap in the tank".
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Cheers,
> Harry
>