87' intermitent shut down!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: coasty ca
87' intermitent shut down!!!
Driving and shut down occurs wait a few and it starts up normally with no problem for weeks and then again it happens..very frustrating and cant located problem...thinking a ground is coroded and would like to clean ...how many and where located for engine bay?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
There's a ground connection behind the drivers side cylinder head, another on the frame rail by battery and of course the neg. battery ground. Does this happen cold or hot or both? Have you ran a fuel pressure guage on it? You may want to check the pickup coil too.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: coasty ca
Well fuel pressure was far from my intial guess,it actually loses power from dash and engine.
The battery is still connected so engine shutdown seems more electrical...sorry for not giving more info
it powers up after 2-3 mins with key off. Im leaning towards checking grounds and fuseable links!! Its my oldest and wisest kids coupe,he is waiting for good old dad to fix or pay to have fixed
The battery is still connected so engine shutdown seems more electrical...sorry for not giving more info
it powers up after 2-3 mins with key off. Im leaning towards checking grounds and fuseable links!! Its my oldest and wisest kids coupe,he is waiting for good old dad to fix or pay to have fixed
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
.......had a similar problem 2 years ago and it turned out to be either the spark control module or the ignition module.......car would intermittantly shut down even when driving........i replaced both at same time so, wish i could pin it down better......
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
I had a similar problem with my 97 Blazer. It would not start first attempt when cold just crank over. Finally found it. When driving my air bag light would occassionally flash and sometimes the ABS light. Tach would act funny too like the key was just placed to on and they were all self testing. When I got it in the driveway, I would go to the on position with the key and nothing happened for a couple of minutes and then relays would click and everything would come to life. If the car started it would occasionally turn itself off. Ended up being bad contacts in ther ignition switch. $112 at NAPA and an afternoon under the dash. Something to consider any way.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: coasty ca
Thanks for some good idea's...I had another friend tell me that spark control and or ignition module could be good places to start
And its an 87' so ignition swith may be worn,although this frustrating because at the moment everything is running as it should
And its an 87' so ignition swith may be worn,although this frustrating because at the moment everything is running as it should
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
Originally Posted by keeper15
Thanks for some good idea's...I had another friend tell me that spark control and or ignition module could be good places to start
And its an 87' so ignition swith may be worn,although this frustrating because at the moment everything is running as it should
And its an 87' so ignition swith may be worn,although this frustrating because at the moment everything is running as it should
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 0
From: Conyers Ga
Does your dash go blank as well? Does it come back on by itself and you either have to turn the key or pop the clutch to achieve ignition. If this is the case It's most likely the alternator. Especially if the grounds are in good shape. I had this issue last month and a new alt fixed it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
.......there was a guy whom had a similar problem although i cannot remember his name....... in his case, i referred him to the back of his battery where there is a junction box of sorts.
.....he cleaned up the junction of wires and it turned out to be either a dirty connection or a broken wire w/in the insulation.
....if the alternator "quit", the car would still run off of the battery until it got so low that it wouldn't power the necessary components to make the car run.....
.....he cleaned up the junction of wires and it turned out to be either a dirty connection or a broken wire w/in the insulation.
....if the alternator "quit", the car would still run off of the battery until it got so low that it wouldn't power the necessary components to make the car run.....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: coasty ca
Progress Report on Shutdown...
Well I traded cars with my out of the nester!
Well on my way to work it happened...lost power and noticed the dash didnt power off like he stated.pulled over safely and noticed that the digital readout's were all over the place like computer reboot!
Turned off ignition and re-attempted starting engine it turned but would not catch.So waited a another minute and it started normal.
Well I have this new info with the digital dash going berzerko and coming back to normal.What the hell
?
Last edited by keeper15; Nov 5, 2006 at 04:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
I had a similar problem with the dash going crazy, and a miss. Two things, I talked to Gordon Killebrew first, he said the dash had probably been taken out (damaged) because of a bad alternator I had just replaced. I wasn't convinced, and I really found it strange because I had just done a tune up too...long story short, when I installed my new coil I accidentally crimped a wire and it was shorting out, replaced the coil...end of problem. If your wires from the coil look good, you may want to ohm the coil to make sure it's fine.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: coasty ca
Ok I've got an ignition module ordered with cap and rotor...I will keep the coil in mind along with the fuel pump... As for the spark control module not sure about that.
I bought this for my son and cant wait to give it back
I miss driving my C5...
it doesnt rattle and is much easier on this old man
I guess along with this electrical gremlin it could use some shocks and bushings...oh well one thing at a time..thanks guys I will give a progress report soon I hope
As for the spark control module not sure about that.I bought this for my son and cant wait to give it back
I miss driving my C5...
it doesnt rattle and is much easier on this old man I guess along with this electrical gremlin it could use some shocks and bushings...oh well one thing at a time..thanks guys I will give a progress report soon I hope
