'97 EVC engine dies immediately upon starting

[dclair]

Hope someone might have experienced something similar.

As soon as I started my ’97 EVC the engine would die. This was occurring immediately after I put gas into it. Did this about 5 times with it dying immediately again. 

I also seem to remember that the instrument panel would also immediately go out when the van died which seems strange to me as the key was still turned so I would think that the instrument panel would just stay on [since you can turn the key without starting the van and the instrument panel comes on and stays on].

Thankfully the van did eventually start but last time I ignored a ‘freak’ occurrence I was stranded in the backcountry with a dead part.

Only other info for you is that when I arrived home 2 hours later the van would start but about 2 seconds after starting I would hear a whining sound for about 2 seconds [which I had never heard before].

Now it is the morning after and it starts fine and there is no whining.

I know - hard to guess but thought I would give it a shot. Appreciate any insight you can offer.