'66 engine stops while driving
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 38
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From: Sonoma County California
'66 engine stops while driving
I have a '66 roadster with a 327/300. Recently the engine will just stop while driving - like I turned off the key. I notice that the stereo cuts out when this happens. Seems like I am losing power or ground. Sometimes the engine comes back on by itself. Other times I have to pull over and restart. Seems to always start up OK but problem is more frequent now and I don't want to drive the car until the issue is corrected.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
Pull the two connectors from the firewall under the master cylinder and clean and tighten the contacts. The large red wire is the one that is most likely causing you to lose power. It feeds power to the inside of the cabin including the ignition switch. Clean the connections with a tuner cleaner type spray and make sure they fit snugly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Pull the two connectors from the firewall under the master cylinder and clean and tighten the contacts. The large red wire is the one that is most likely causing you to lose power. It feeds power to the inside of the cabin including the ignition switch. Clean the connections with a tuner cleaner type spray and make sure they fit snugly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Problem is you have a 5 amp connector, trying to handle up to 30 amps. or more. Its a bad design, and most of them, especially with AC or some other add ons, have gone bad long ago. Now the conector has been hot and lost its spring tension, which makes the connection worse and will get even hotter. So the best thing is to wire through it. This can be done so that it is not detectable and it will last forever. You wont be guessing and praying it doesnt quit at some very inopportune time.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 110
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From: Simpsonville South Carolina
I had same problem
Pull the two connectors from the firewall under the master cylinder and clean and tighten the contacts. The large red wire is the one that is most likely causing you to lose power. It feeds power to the inside of the cabin including the ignition switch. Clean the connections with a tuner cleaner type spray and make sure they fit snugly.
Last edited by Bob 66 coupe; Jul 13, 2014 at 04:28 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Problem is you have a 5 amp connector, trying to handle up to 30 amps. or more. Its a bad design, and most of them, especially with AC or some other add ons, have gone bad long ago. Now the conector has been hot and lost its spring tension, which makes the connection worse and will get even hotter. So the best thing is to wire through it. This can be done so that it is not detectable and it will last forever. You wont be guessing and praying it doesnt quit at some very inopportune time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 1,977
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Welcome to the forum. This post is 10 years old. Best to start a new one. In the meantime, use the search feature to pull up posts on the "red wire". There will be a wealth of information posted including remedies. Good luck. Jerry
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
Go to google, type “C2 corvette red wire, corvette forum” and hit Enter. You’ll find all the instructions and reasons you need. If you want to see my suggestions, add “65GGvert “ in the search term you typed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
Here's a recent one, click on the link below and scroll to post #9 if you want my advice:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...al-system.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...al-system.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
Very common problem. Here's a recent one, click on the link below and scroll to post #9 if you want my advice:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...al-system.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...al-system.html