85 vette suddenly stopped running
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
85 vette suddenly stopped running
While idling at a traffic light today my 85 suddenly stopped running. Tried cranking it for awhile with no results. Pushed it out of the traffic and when I tried to crank it again, it started. Drove it back home with no problems and the car still starts up OK. What could have caused this problem? Any ideas? The battery is strong and obviously I am getting fuel since it did restart.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
Thanks for the reply. I thought about the fuel pump. But since the engine stopped suddenly without any indication of dying due to fuel starvation, I did not think too much about this being the reason for the problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
The ignition control module inside the distributor may be going. If it cuts out, all electrical to the plugs stops.
You might also check the two plugs on the drivers side of the distributor that plug into the square section of the distributor....check to see that they are tight.
You might also check the two plugs on the drivers side of the distributor that plug into the square section of the distributor....check to see that they are tight.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
From: Durham NC
Thanks. This is exactly the way I am thinking. I know that one of the wires (red) on the distributor has a broken plastic clip. When I got the car home I did check that wire and it did push in a little bit. This was after the car had begun to run, but still the wire was a little loose and this could have been easily the problem. Moving the car may have caused the wire to make contact enough to get the car running. Also, I did think of the ignition module. Usually this module either works or it does not. But that is surely an area that needs to be checked out. Thanks!!! I will be looking at all these possibilities tomorrow.
