Engine Died While Driving
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Miramar Florida
Engine Died While Driving
While driving this evening my '86 vette just died. It's got plenty of fuel, battery and alternator are good, has gas pressure at rails. Still sitting on side of road waiting for the tow truck. What else could it be?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Bartonville Illinois
I don't know whats wrong, could be a lot of things. You posted the year but it would be very helpful to others here if you would provide more information.
Does it turn over, if it won't turn over does it make any noise at all, does it do anything?
Just trying to help you get help. Good luck.
Does it turn over, if it won't turn over does it make any noise at all, does it do anything?
Just trying to help you get help. Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Lots of things could have gone wrong but when this happened recently to me with my newly rebuilt 87 engine, the cause turned out to be the engine RPM sensor/pickup coil underneath the distro cap. Guess it started reading 0 RPMs so the ECM shut down the engine--no fault codes, no warnings, just shut the engine down and it wouldnt start. There are two other ignition components in the distro cap that might cause a similar outcome but it was the pick-up coil that was the problem for me. Assume you have no spark at the plugs?????? If it is the pickup coil, you have to pull the distro shaft and disassemble shaft/drive gear to get at the coil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Lots of things could have gone wrong but when this happened recently to me with my newly rebuilt 87 engine, the cause turned out to be the engine RPM sensor/pickup coil underneath the distro cap. Guess it started reading 0 RPMs so the ECM shut down the engine--no fault codes, no warnings, just shut the engine down and it wouldnt start. There are two other ignition components in the distro cap that might cause a similar outcome but it was the pick-up coil that was the problem for me. Assume you have no spark at the plugs?????? If it is the pickup coil, you have to pull the distro shaft and disassemble shaft/drive gear to get at the coil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Kansas
I'd agree with module. Had the same issue with my Mustang so many times I would always make sure I carried a spare with me. Fortunately on a 5.0 they are easy to change out.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
and maybe my tps and air/idle. Got 2's of everything
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Miramar Florida
I haven't had any problems like this before, even though I've only had the car a year.
I did degrease and was the engine last week, but Even so, I've driven the car plenty of times since then.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
This was a brand new complete distributor assembly that I put in a few months ago. I did use the dialectic grease that came with the distributor. actually I still have the old one with a good ESM that I will plan on swapping.
I haven't had any problems like this before, even though I've only had the car a year.
I did degrease and was the engine last week, but Even so, I've driven the car plenty of times since then.
I haven't had any problems like this before, even though I've only had the car a year.
I did degrease and was the engine last week, but Even so, I've driven the car plenty of times since then.
Last edited by caddyboy84; Mar 25, 2012 at 11:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Miramar Florida
If you have extra parts, swap em one at a time. I only buy Delco parts and don't trust certain aftermarket stuff, an HEI module being one of them. Check the dist. tightness, it may have loosened up, it does happen. Then change the top coil and so on, it could be a loose connector at the cap. Remember if you wanna wash the engine, do it with the engine running. Your problem is definately in that distributor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
I checked all the connectors at the distributor particularly the tach, all of them were in place and connected good. When I washed the engine I was careful not to get too much waster or degreaser near the distributor, and I did start and run the engine as I finished washing it down. I also made sure the engine got up to temp and I drove it around to make sure all the water and degreaser evaporated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Miramar Florida
Did you try the old screwdriver in the plug wire while someone cranks it, to see if you got any spark? It really sounds like a module, I have seen them go bad in a couple of days. Check for moisture in the cap (blow it out with a compresser) check for spark, then swap the module.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
I will pull apart the distributor and check everything tomorrow. I just made it home, the tow truck finally came. Right now, I know that I'm getting gas to the fuel rail, the engine turns over, all the accessories are working, battery & alternator seems good, I'm getting no codes. What I don't know is if I'm getting spark from the distributor or HEI at this point.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
My 85 used to do the same thing, the stock HEI gets brittle overtime and the potting breaks down,, I lived in Melbourne, up the road from you and the heat was a killer.
Easy to install and is a must do especially if you still have a stock HEI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
When I had problems my MAF died but it wasn't throwing codes. If you want to easily find out just disconnect the electrical connector at the bottom of the MAF. If the car starts then you know that it is something that is reporting to the computer that is a problem. If the car doesn't start then you have to look in other areas.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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From: Miramar Florida
I think I will start with the MAF first, reason being is that after the engine died initially, I started checking for loose electrical connections and one of the ones I checked was the MAF along with the TPS, and idle air. Then I tried starting the engine and it started for one brief second and then died again and never restarted. Could be just coincidental but it may be a starting point.