Astro van won't start,batt good .will start if I put gas in the air cleaner tube ,but that is the only way ?

an astro van will not have the inertia switch but the relay that controls the pump could be bad or the cpu could be failing to send a signal to that relay. i have seen a faulty distributor cause this problem in the past.

check your fuses, change the filter turn the key on and listen (don't start the vehicle) see if that fixes the pump problem

I believe that it may be fuel injected, so turn the key to "on" and find the pressure check valve (looks like a large tire fill valve ) at the end of the fuel rail, push the middle to see if fuel pressure is there if you have gas coming out and can hear the pump then the next step is possible clogged injectors.

Check the inertia switch and see if it might have been tripped. Not sure where it is on that model, but it is either inside the rear compartment behind the trim on the same side as the fuel fill or under the floor map on the passenger's side. If the switch has not been tripped then you need a new fuel pump and you might as well replace the fuel filter at the same time.

could be the fuel pump relay or some fords have a cut off switch (encase of car crash) that trip allot of times.... other then that you just have to get a voltage tester and start chasing wires. if there is power at the pump but then kicks out, check for a blocked fuel line.

replace the fuel pump those pumps are very sensitive even a couple pounds of pressure off an its a problem o an fuel filter to