Car dies for a few seconds
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 88
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From: Marietta Ga
Car dies for a few seconds
I need some ideas to troubleshoot the car. When driving the motor loses all power - the Service Engine Light comes on - the tac goes to zero - for a few seconds then it recovers as if nothing is wrong. Once it died and did not come back and after one unsucessful crank on the side of the road it then started normally after waiting a minute and I drove home. The shop checked all the connections (LT-1 Opti and MSD and so far nothing has come up as a fix). The car did go through 3 Optis (GM unit failed - then the Dynotech unit failed then a stock Opti went in) all in one week before this stated happening. I need a few suggestions.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
First check for any stored error codes right when it dies! If your radio presets disappear, your 12v from the battery and through the ignition switch contacts is intermittent. Remove your battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs and the battery posts and bolts until clean and bright and reconnect (neg last). Watch the dash voltmeter the next time it quits, does it go to a low voltage reading when the engine dies? If so, you might have an intermittent connection from one or both battery cables to its lug, or you might have a loose ground bolt where the negative cable bolts to the frame. Also check the mechanical connection where the positive cable goes to. You also may have to resort to taping a fuel pressure gauge to your windshield to see if your fuel pressure drops when the engine quits. If it does, then you need to check the fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel pressure regulator.
Disconnect the neg battery cable and unplug the ECM and replug it back in which will clean the contacts to the ECM. If the ECM plug connections are intermittent your MPG, Miles to go, and trip odometer will reset.
Disconnect the neg battery cable and unplug the ECM and replug it back in which will clean the contacts to the ECM. If the ECM plug connections are intermittent your MPG, Miles to go, and trip odometer will reset.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
First, check to see what code(s) were set when the ckeck engine light came on and trouble shoot that (those) problem(s). Based on your ignition problems history, I'd suspect a problem with the way the MSD is wired.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Marietta Ga
I think the Service Engine Light comes on just as it does when the Ignition is own without the motor running as no codes where set. I will redo the battery post and disconnect and reconnect the ECM as this is simple enought. I was thinking maybe a bad ground or hot wire to the fuel pump as was replaced with a higher flow unit about a year ago. I think Optis do not act up this way!
