Engine cutting out while cruising.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
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From: Manalapan FL
Engine cutting out while cruising.
This happened for the first time tonight. Cruising around 30 mph, running smooth. All of a sudden, the engine shuts down. All the guages and lights remain on and accurate (e.g. ammeter didn't drop), but the engine sounds as if it had turned off! I coast to the side of the road (engine is still turning, but winding down the entire time) and by the time I stop, engine is purring again as if nothing happened. This occurred one more time on the way home.
I doubt this is an electrical short as there was no dimming/flickering of the dash lights or headlights and, as mentioned above, the gauges did not react to the power loss.
I'm guessing points or something in the ignition. Where do I start looking?
Thanks in advance,
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
I doubt this is an electrical short as there was no dimming/flickering of the dash lights or headlights and, as mentioned above, the gauges did not react to the power loss.
I'm guessing points or something in the ignition. Where do I start looking?
Thanks in advance,
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Originally Posted by RAT502
How old is the coil, my chevelle did the same thing, just shut off while cruising like the coil wire fell off or something , it got worse and worse until i purchased a new coil....
Anyone like the Lectric Limited "Breakerless SE" electronic points? If I have to change the points, now might be the time to go pointless.
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I have had Vettes "short" the coil terminals to the metal ignition shielding and cause simular symptoms that you describe. You should also check the grounding wire from the breaker plate to the distributor body to see if it is intact or possibly broken. The wiring harness has "fuseable links" that feed the ignition (from the starter terminal) that could be causing your problem if they are partially "blown". I use the Pertronix Ignitor breakerless units in my Vettes and have had great reliability with them (about $75 for the conversion.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
I vote for the coil. I have had two different cars, non-Corvette, that had intermittant coils. I could never diagnose the problem. I took the one back to the dealer and he coldn't find anything wrong. About the third time, I told the service manager to drive the car until it died. Bad coil.
Gary
Gary
