might stall and no restart

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danaspider
Posts: 169
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000 79 vw bus
Location: Newcastle, WA

might stall and no restart

Post by danaspider »

An intersting problem, looking for ideas.

79 spider, a few weeks ago was running well at the Freakout. A few days after the event, would not start. Turned over but never hit. After several checks, such as checking plug wire connections, making sure the sensor cable was seated properly into the ignition module, tried again and it started. Drove around a bit and it seemed fine.

Was thinking it could be the ignition module, so ordered new coil and ignition module from Vicks. Installed, and it started right up. Set the timing, and all seemed well. A few days later was driving around and hit a big bump and it started acting like it was missing a bit. Checked all connections and found the sensor cable to the ignition module was looser than it should be on the slip on connector. pressed the spades together for good connection. Started right up. Drove around some more and seemed to be running well. Then caught in some traffic, and as I came to a light it stalled. Would not restart, just turned over. Pushed into a lot, and looked around, checked the rotor for arcing, checked all connections. After a few minutes, tried to start again, on second try got a small backfire through the card, a little smoke and it started.

Drove the few miles home and started the process again. Big find, I thought, was that I found the sensor plate in the distributor was loose, moving the timing around. Tightend the plate back down, put a tie wrap on the sensor connector into the ignition module and it started right up. All well......!?

Decided to take on a drive this weekend. We drove about 150 miles to a casino (nope did't win there either), but car ran well, mostly back roads but some interstate. After checking into hotel, came out and car would not start. Was on a hill, so tried jump start, a few feet a small pop or backfire, started up and drove to park it.

Next day car started right up and ran well through rain and sun. Another 150 miles, when got about 5 miles from home (again in some traffic, but not over heating but warm) pulled to a light and it stalled. same thing turns over no start. Looked around under the hood for connections and such. After a few minutes, try again, one pop and it is running. Drove home with no problem.

So here I sit. New parts distributor cap, rotor, ignition module and coil.

Something is getting warm or .....

Help looking for ideas.

Thanks
Luck Dana

79 Spider 2000
carb
It all about the romace of the car and owner
majicwrench

Re: might stall and no restart

Post by majicwrench »

First things first, you need to know if it is losing spark or fuel. Carry an old plug around with you. Guessing is no way to fix it.
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danaspider
Posts: 169
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000 79 vw bus
Location: Newcastle, WA

Re: might stall and no restart

Post by danaspider »

Fuel is good. There is gas in the barells of the carb. Originally there was no spark, back before replacing the coil. Have not been able to duplicate the problem since for long enough to check spark.

Not just guessing but looking for ideas.
Luck Dana

79 Spider 2000
carb
It all about the romace of the car and owner
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: might stall and no restart

Post by 124JOE »

i think you may have a ground problem
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
bobplyler
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 823
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: might stall and no restart

Post by bobplyler »

If your fuel pump is getting weak, it could cause something similar (personal experience).
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
So Cal Mark

Re: might stall and no restart

Post by So Cal Mark »

I'd look at the ignition switch contacts and connector. Almost impossible for a fuel pump to cause a problem at idle
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