1981 Stranded me on the road today.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT USA
1981 Stranded me on the road today.
Driving into work today the '81 quit running. Stopped at a light and when it turned green hit he pedal to go, and the engine died.
Battery still worked as the stereo was on and the starter turned over the engine easily.
Checked the carb and fuel is still squirting thru the accelerator pump. My best guess is the ignition?
This Vette has the stock HEI in place and no modifications to the engine or card. Replaced plugs cap & rotor just a few weeks ago.
After it died, the engine cranked over many times until I could hear the starter slowing down indicating the battery was getting weak. A guy in an Acura stopped and helped me push it off the road and gave me a ride back home. Tow truck brought the Vette home about an hour later.
Any suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?
Battery still worked as the stereo was on and the starter turned over the engine easily.
Checked the carb and fuel is still squirting thru the accelerator pump. My best guess is the ignition?
This Vette has the stock HEI in place and no modifications to the engine or card. Replaced plugs cap & rotor just a few weeks ago.
After it died, the engine cranked over many times until I could hear the starter slowing down indicating the battery was getting weak. A guy in an Acura stopped and helped me push it off the road and gave me a ride back home. Tow truck brought the Vette home about an hour later.
Any suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Millington TN
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (dsagers)
Three things are required for an engine to run.
1> Air
2>Fuel
3>Heat/spark
If one of these things is missing, the engine won't work. You have already established that there is air/fuel.
That leaves spark.
Try pulling a plug and seeing if there is spark, probaly won't. Work you way back and find out where you are losing it.
1> Air
2>Fuel
3>Heat/spark
If one of these things is missing, the engine won't work. You have already established that there is air/fuel.
That leaves spark.
Try pulling a plug and seeing if there is spark, probaly won't. Work you way back and find out where you are losing it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (killain)
That is the the first place I'll look.
Don't have the manual with me at work today, so where is the ignition module located and what's involved in replacing it?
Thanks All!
[Modified by dsagers, 1:34 PM 7/31/2002]
Don't have the manual with me at work today, so where is the ignition module located and what's involved in replacing it?
Thanks All!
[Modified by dsagers, 1:34 PM 7/31/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (dsagers)
The module is located in the base of the distributor. You have to remove the cap and rotor to get to it. Its about 3 inches long, black, with connectors on the ends. I always carry a spare so I won't get stranded.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (dsagers)
I agree with the others: it is the ignition module (in blue below). Happened to me twice in high-heat conditions, and as you have described. The primitive electronic circuitry inside is heat sensitive. Always install with di-electric grease to serve as a heat-soak to the distrib metal base. I keep a spare module in the rear compartment for such occasions. An auto parts store can test the old module for you but be aware they are finicky and test good cold but be very flaky when hot.
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Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,463
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (paul79)
ditto what paul and the others have said. i'd bet on the ignition module. yours will be slightly different in that it will have a two pin connector on one side and a five pin on the other. as paul said, buy one of those tubes of dielectric grease and smear it on the bottom of the module before installation. when i do cap and rotor, i remove this and install fresh grease. haven't had a module fail in about 4 years (knock on wood).
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: 1981 Stranded me on the road today. (dsagers)
Check to make sure that the battery lead is hooked onto the distributor. I have seen before where the clip that is supposed to hold it on is broken off and the connector falls out of the distributor, then.....no go no more. Otherwise I would say ignition module.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
IT'S ALIVE...
Thanks to all of you for your support.
Installed the ignition module last night and it fired right up, let it idle for 10 mins in the drive and then drove it for another hour.
Sure helps to have some direction before starting to look for problems
THANKS!!
Installed the ignition module last night and it fired right up, let it idle for 10 mins in the drive and then drove it for another hour.
Sure helps to have some direction before starting to look for problems
THANKS!!
