Died while in flight..where to start?
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Died while in flight..where to start?
Any suggestions are very welcome. The other day on the way to work my stock 82 died while I was driving. I was getting along about 50-55 mph and the engine died. No bucking or anything, engine just quit running. It was early morning and I had the lights on. Nothing electrical shut off that I noticed. Felt like I either lost fuel or fire. After I coasted to a stop everything still had power. Car cranks strong but wont run. I'm thinking either the fuel pump or maybe something like the ECM? If it is one or the other, what's the best way to test either? Any other ideas on where to start investigating? Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
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From: Carbondale Pa.
When my 80 L82 was on the road and I was able to enjoy driving it one time I was cruising along @65/70 MPH and the motor just stopped running, being late to a kiss the Hog contest I left it on the side 
of the road to have it flatbedded home later. When I got home I determined it had and was getting fuel but couldnt find where it was getting any spark, took the dist. cap off and saw that the rotor had a hole burnt in it, from what,,, I dunno, put a new rotor and cap on it and it fired right up, ran perfectly. Check yours,, ya never know,,,Peace,,,Moosie 
of the road to have it flatbedded home later. When I got home I determined it had and was getting fuel but couldnt find where it was getting any spark, took the dist. cap off and saw that the rotor had a hole burnt in it, from what,,, I dunno, put a new rotor and cap on it and it fired right up, ran perfectly. Check yours,, ya never know,,,Peace,,,Moosie
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 143
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From: Independence MO
You said "No bucking or anything, engine just quit running" does not sound like gas it is probably something in the distributor like Fevre said your ignition module, or a wire came off or broke somewhere else. After you check the distributor look for a wire that might of got burnt in to by the exhaust or something like that.
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It almost has to be electrial
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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Good Luck
Steve
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
When my 80 L82 was on the road and I was able to enjoy driving it one time I was cruising along @65/70 MPH and the motor just stopped running, being late to a kiss the Hog contest I left it on the side of the road to have it flatbedded home later. When I got home I determined it had and was getting fuel but couldnt find where it was getting any spark, took the dist. cap off and saw that the rotor had a hole burnt in it, from what,,, I dunno, put a new rotor and cap on it and it fired right up, ran perfectly. Check yours,, ya never know,,,Peace,,,Moosie
of the road to have it flatbedded home later. When I got home I determined it had and was getting fuel but couldnt find where it was getting any spark, took the dist. cap off and saw that the rotor had a hole burnt in it, from what,,, I dunno, put a new rotor and cap on it and it fired right up, ran perfectly. Check yours,, ya never know,,,Peace,,,Moosie 
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Willow Spring NC
I would have to cast a vote for ECM as well. I've had this happen to me on two other cars, both GM ECM modules, and both times it quit without warning. No sputtering, missing, nothing. Running one second and dead the next. Luckily it's an easy, cheap fix. Not 100% sure of course, but I wouldn't feel I had steered you wrong if you went out first thing in the AM and purchased a replacement based solely on my input.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
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From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
why don't you put a little fuel down the carb and try cranking it over.... if it starts and then dies then you know it is the fuel... or at least spray some starting fluid in there and crank the engine.
that may find or eliminate one of the causes of your problem.
JIm
that may find or eliminate one of the causes of your problem.
JIm
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
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From: indy indiana
hook a timming light to it ..or go to auto zone and buy a cheap sparkplug wiretester thingy,,either one should tell you if your getting spark.Yea,and pick up a can of ether...that will tell you if its a fuel problem. cheap diagnose..pia sometimes to find and fix.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
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Thanks for the ideas
Thanks everyone much for the ideas...I'm working this holiday weekend so I hope to get under the hood about tues.
By the way, am I wrong in thinking that with the key on I should be able to see gas coming out of the injectors into the throttle body if I have the breather off and someone steps on the gas?
By the way, am I wrong in thinking that with the key on I should be able to see gas coming out of the injectors into the throttle body if I have the breather off and someone steps on the gas?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Flanders NJ
If the car starts with ether or starting fluid, DON"T OVERDUE IT! The ether strips the oil from the upper cylinders immediately and you'll get galled rings and cylinders within a very short period. I vote for electric, but I am an old carb guy...good luck..just be patient and methodical
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Thanks everyone much for the ideas...I'm working this holiday weekend so I hope to get under the hood about tues.
By the way, am I wrong in thinking that with the key on I should be able to see gas coming out of the injectors into the throttle body if I have the breather off and someone steps on the gas?
By the way, am I wrong in thinking that with the key on I should be able to see gas coming out of the injectors into the throttle body if I have the breather off and someone steps on the gas?
