Wt@!*- '87 cutting off!
#1
PLS Help! '87 cutting off! ???
Last week my 87: which has been sitting for over 6 yrs got down to the reserve fuel in the gas tank; at which point it promptly died on the highway and would not restart. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED to my home. Once there I filled it with super - gas and it seemed to be OK.
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
Last edited by TheKid!!; 11-29-2010 at 01:16 PM. Reason: Typo
#3
Le Mans Master
It sounds like the ignition control module or the coil. These are both heat sensitive and what you are discribing is exactly the way most go bad...WW
#4
Race Director
When it shuts off is it sudden like tou switched it off or does it sputter as it shuts down? Do you see the SES ( Check Engine) light indicating fault codes have been set?
#5
Intermediate
Member Since: Sep 2010
Location: Woodland Park Colorado
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last week my 87: which has been sitting for over 6 yrs got down to the reserve fuel in the gas tank; at which point it promptly died on the highway and would not restart. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED to my home. Once there I filled it with super - gas and it seemed to be OK.
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
I replaced the relay... run for awhile then die. Testing suggested a bad fuel pump.. replaced that....
Same thing car would run for awhile then die as if someone had turned it off. Crank no start. Good spark, zero fuel pressure. It turned out to be a crimped wire at the fuel pump connection at the fuel tank.... check your wiring that new pigtail is about 50 bucks at your parts store..
thats my 2 cents....
c4 cowboy.
Last edited by C4Cowboy; 11-29-2010 at 04:14 PM.
#6
Le Mans Master
maybe your cagameter needs adjusting. I've heard that a full blinker fluid reservoir fixes it as well
Last edited by coupeguy2001; 11-30-2010 at 08:47 AM.
#8
Drifting
.....but seriously, I would check spark. Sounds like ignition module with out being there to run tests.
#10
Team Owner
Have you checked fuel pressure? Even with a new filter and pump, if the car sat for that time and you got it down to the reserve level, it's possible that the pump picked up debris from the bottom of the tank and is blocking the line somewhere.
Pull any codes stored in the ECM. If the FP is not getting sufficient voltage or if the FP relay is bad, a Code 54 will be set. The SES light may come on initially when low voltage is seen, but the light will go off once voltage returns to normal.
Pull any codes stored in the ECM. If the FP is not getting sufficient voltage or if the FP relay is bad, a Code 54 will be set. The SES light may come on initially when low voltage is seen, but the light will go off once voltage returns to normal.
#11
Team Owner
Last week my 87: which has been sitting for over 6 yrs got down to the reserve fuel in the gas tank; at which point it promptly died on the highway and would not restart. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED to my home. Once there I filled it with super - gas and it seemed to be OK.
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
The next day while going to work (after driving for about 20 - 30 mins) it died again. Now I added dry gas and fuel injector cleaned as well. While driving it died again. I had the fuel pump and 2 filters changed -but the still does the same thing after driving for about 30 mins. It will die, crank - strong - but not start and run. I have to let it sit for about 2 hours at least, before it will start again. Any idea?!!!
If you have changed the pump, it could be a bad pump or a bad power source. IDK. When you changed the pump, I would ASSUME that you changed the sock? Did you? If so, hook up a noid light to the fuel pump harness so you can see what it is doing at the time. Could also be your relay to the FP. Not sure
Also when it is dead, check if you have spark. My module would work but especially when we went thru a car wash, it would die out. Again, that wasn't the whole thing and I did have a little leak in the wires. Changed wires and no improvement at the car wash. Changed module and life was good again.
#13
Team Owner
#14
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: backwoods upstate ny
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes
on
10 Posts
small cap (camaro style) HEI and big cap (vette) HEI both suffer ignition module frailty...small caps also frequent no-fly due to soft pick-up assy, better to get the 'reman' small cap with 'big cap style pick-up' from napa for ~$111, if ya gotta run small.
FIRST TEST for ANY efi drive prob is FUEL PRESSURE...but if PO wants to 'shoot first,ask later', try a 'known good' ign module in the distrib.
FIRST TEST for ANY efi drive prob is FUEL PRESSURE...but if PO wants to 'shoot first,ask later', try a 'known good' ign module in the distrib.
#15
Intermediate
Member Since: Sep 2010
Location: Woodland Park Colorado
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#16
Just a thought
I've taken my ignition control module to O'Reillys auto parts they tested it for me for free just a thought to rule that out for you I'd call and ask first if you try it hope this helps you.
#17
Team Owner
They ruled mine out too but when replaced, the hesitation problem disappeared.
#18
It was the computer. The cable needed to be reseated. I replaced the fuel pump and had everything checked... It came down to loose cable. I had the computer replaced as well. I took out the passenger seat and got under the DASHBOARD. Why is the computer under the DASHBOARD? I think I will ty-rap the cables to the computer box. what do you guys think?
#19
Le Mans Master
It was the computer. The cable needed to be reseated. I replaced the fuel pump and had everything checked... It came down to loose cable. I had the computer replaced as well. I took out the passenger seat and got under the DASHBOARD. Why is the computer under the DASHBOARD? I think I will ty-rap the cables to the computer box. what do you guys think?
Yes stuff is hidden all over the C4......just wasn't enough room to put everything out in the open. 20lbs of crap in a 10lb box kinda thing sums it up.