hey guys

My 89 auto ****ted out again. I was cruisin at 60 mph and my rpms dropped to 0. Basically feels like the car stalls. I am not receiving a spark to the wires. Also i have just changed the cap rotor module and coil about a week ago ( when my cars electrical died out the first time) I looked for possible grounds to be out. Any kind of information would be a great help.

Thanks

 

does it start again after? or is it still dead>

 

The exact same thing happened to me exactly as you described. The pick up coil inside my distributor went dead on me while going about 60mph. No spark. The car would crank good, just not start up anymore.

Here's the pick up coil that fixed mine. Not to be confused with the ignition coil.



Since you lost spark all of the sudden while moving at 60mph, it's likely your pick up coil died on you. Rules out inproper installation since it did run. First check that the Pink BAT termina wirel on the side of the cap is in place and did not come loose. Check that you get battery voltage at this wire with key "On". The ignition module is another possibility.

Here's how to test and find out. From the shop manual. You'll need a multi-meter. Hopefully this help you to get your car to start and give you spark.

 

Hopefully you put the silicon grease or some other lubricant like dialectric under the new ignition module when you replaced it, otherwise they burn out quickly.

 

ill check out that pick up coil and yes i did use some grease when i installled the module.

Even though the car worked for about almost 2 weeks after changing it the first it could still be the pick up coil?

 

the car trys to start again but doesnt. It recieves fuel.

 

86Pacer

 

[QUOTE=86PACER]The exact same thing happened to me exactly as you described. The pick up coil inside my distributor went dead on me while going about 60mph. No spark. The car would crank good, just not start up anymore.

Here's the pick up coil that fixed mine. Not to be confused with the ignition coil.



Where do you get these diagrams?

 

Also check to be sure the wire connectors are still plugged in to the module under the distributor cap.

Also check that none of those wires somehow got caught between the distributor cap and the distributor housing. Over time this could cause a cut in the wire insulation. Once cut that wire(s) would short out against the metal distributor housing. Been there.

Jake

 

Outstanding info.
Great presentation.
Bryan

 

There are from the GM shop manual.

 

Did you scan them?

 

I changed the pick up coil. I am recieving spark and fuel but still wont start. I scanned the car and no codes came up.

Any other ideas????

Thanks

 

You say you are recieving fuel, but do you know the pressure?

 

When you removed the distributor to replace the pick-up coil. Did you make sure you put the distributor back in the engine in the same postition? If not you may have the distributor out of time. You may have to bring the engine up on #1 and put the distributor on #1. If you have fuel and you have spark, it should atleast try to start.

 

Thanks Jake...thought I was the only bonehead to have done that.

 

LOL

Jake

 

Let's retrace our steps on this.

You're driving down the road and, suddenly, the engine shuts off.

Now, what could cause that to happen?

Well, let's first list all the possible causes.

1. Fuel depriavation: Fuel Pump; break in one of the fuel lines/rails; clogged fuel filter; fuel pump regulator; out of gas

2. Plug-in connections at the ECM, Injector drivers in the ECM failed; ECM itself

3. Spark: Ignition module, pick-up coil, rotor, cap; distributor gear sheared off; wire connections to module; coil/coil bushing; coil connection wires; 12 volt (pink) wire in distributor cap (shorted or disconnected); tach wire (shorted or disconnected), spark plugs/spark plug wires

4. Engine seized

5. Someone else can add to this list here

Now, let's list what we know:

1. You have fuel: What's the pressure? Does the pressure "hold" when ignition is turned "off"?

2. You have Spark: Has the distributor been removed from the engine? If so are you SURE it was replaced and timed correctly?

Now, let's list what should be checked:

1. Does the engine crank smoothly or does it stop, labor and start cranking again?

2. What color is the spark? Orange and weak or blue/white and strong?

3. Carefully check the wires that exit the coil, Look for any sign of over-heating (dark brown/black discoloration, etc.)

4. Others chime in here.

The few times my engine has suddenly shut down under similar conditions here's what caused it:

1. Module became over-heated then, after engine sat for several minutes, the engine would re-start and run normally only to have the same thing recur shortly thereafter.

2. Screws that hold the coil cover to the distributor cap were too long. Penetrated the interior of the cap exposing just the tiniest bit of screw tip. Spark jump to that exposed tip, shorting out the coil.

3. Damaged 12 volt connector at the distributor cap allowed the 12 volt wire to fall off.

4. Tach wire at distributor shorted to ground instantly shutting down the engine.

5. Distributor gear worn so badly it could no longer index with the camshaft gear. So the distributor would no longer turn, hence no spark.

6. Ran out of gas (erroenous dash reading)

7. Engine blew in the lights, but that was an easy one since 8 quarts of oil on the track and the ensuing wild ride let me know immediately.

This is stuff off the top of my head. The Factory Service Manual has a whole section of "No Start" trouble-shooting procedures. Unfortunately since I recently moved to a 96 LT1, I put my 86 FSM in a storage locker. I don't have immediate access to it or I'd post that info for you.

Hope this helps.

Jake