C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Car shuts off while driving

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Old May 20, 2013 | 09:47 AM
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Default Car shuts off while driving

I was driving Friday and the car shut off, the dash and engine went totally dead, no lights, no dash, no ignition,

So I got out and opened the hood and then after @ 1-2 minutes, the power came back on, so I started it up and drove another 1/2 mile and it shut off again, so I coasted 100 yards and the car came back on and then stalled again and came back on as I was pulling into my neighborhood.

OK, where do I start, my guess is the the fusible links at the starter and or relays?
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Old May 20, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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Check the red wire that plugs into the distributor. IF the clip is broken, it will sometimes slip off enough to cut off all electrical power to the distributor and will shut you down.

If it was a fusible link, the link (wire) would have burned thru and you would not start up...there would never be power thru the wire. You would have to replace the wire to get power again.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 10:09 AM
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I don't think it's the pink wire to the distributor because:
Originally Posted by LD85
I was driving Friday and the car shut off, the dash and engine went totally dead, no lights, no dash, no ignition?

I'd grab a test light and jack and drive back and forth in front of my house until it died...then start looking for power from the starter, moving toward the fuse box. I tend to agree with John that if it were a fusible link it would be 10-7 all the time. Not on/off.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 10:38 AM
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Thanks guys, this is crazy, and scary, I had just gotten off the interstate when it happened.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 12:23 PM
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Never hurts to double check those battery cables and connections especially for a complete shut down like you are describing.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve85
Never hurts to double check those battery cables and connections especially for a complete shut down like you are describing.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve85
Never hurts to double check those battery cables and connections especially for a complete shut down like you are describing.
That's where I'd be starting..
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Old May 20, 2013 | 04:10 PM
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I'll put it on the ramps and check the starter wiring first.

I have been wanting to buy new fusible links for quite some time because they are 28 years old.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 04:16 PM
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Load test the battery. Bad battery can do some strange stuff.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 08:46 PM
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I agree.. it sounds like battery/cables alternator or ground problem.It's probably something simple.
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Old May 28, 2013 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ch@0s
I agree.. it sounds like battery/cables alternator or ground problem.It's probably something simple.
Yes, you guys were correct, it was loose battery cable nut on the starter, regardless of what I think I did, the nut was loose and I can wiggle it and kill power or get power.

Its great that its an easy fix, but ,,I fear that I must be losing my MoJo
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Old May 28, 2013 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by LD85
Yes, you guys were correct, it was loose battery cable nut on the starter, regardless of what I think I did, the nut was loose and I can wiggle it and kill power or get power.

Its great that its an easy fix, but ,,I fear that I must be losing my MoJo
It's normal when you do a big job your bound to forget something .. no one is perfect.
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Old May 28, 2013 | 07:26 PM
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Well, it was not a nut, it was the #16 fusible link that is creating a short at the base of the link, I need to replace the one that reads 16 and has two red wires coming into it.

Any idea what slow blow maxi fuse amp to use? I'll start googling

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Old May 28, 2013 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by LD85
Well, it was not a nut, it was the #16 fusible link that is creating a short at the base of the link, I need to replace the one that reads 16 and has two red wires coming into it.

Any idea what slow blow maxi fuse amp to use? I'll start googling

You should be able to pick up another fusible link at any parts store.
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Old May 28, 2013 | 08:28 PM
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cool, I called autozone and they have some 14 gauge links

Its the middle wire, it is nearly broken off at the point it joins the black connector, maybe only 2-3 strands connected
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 03:00 PM
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Its a wrap, all projects are done, and this problem is solved

I took the two wire fusible that went bad and stripped the two red wires back, and then put a length of 14 gauge fusible link onto the two red wires and used a metal C clip to crimp all 3 wires together, then wrapped it in friction tape.

I took all 3 ends that connect to the starter, and stripped them back and put them into a new ring connector and it's all good

Basically, it is redone exactly as it was originally except for the C-clip

If anyone wants a length or two of the 14 guage fusible link let me know, I bought a roll for $7.99 at NAPA

Baby doll is back on the road ready for tune tweaking
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 01:41 PM
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I'm waiting for the burnout video
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by ch@0s






I'm waiting for the burnout video
As soon as its tuned its gonna scream, the 114 LS really stretches the curve, and 2nd and 3rd seem to last a long way but I can tell that its a little lean at tip in then it goes rich

I'll drive it to let the Adaptive Learning in the FAST XFI to adjust, then zero in on the tune.
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