Everything quit while car is running?!? 72 GTO
 

Hey guys,

I have this weird problem.. 72 GTO, 400 engine, HEI ignition, console shift TH400. Tried to do a search but the seach engine is buggin on me.

My car has never done this before. I was driving, like 50MPH, when all of a sudden, everything quits. Engine stops, no power, no nothing. I was able to steer in a parking lot. :(

I had absolutely no power whatsoever. No GEN light, no starter, no radio. Completely dead. I waited about 15 minutes, ready to call a tow, I tried it and it started right away like if nothing had happened. :)

I drove for another 20 min, and blawwww. Same thing. Waited 5 minutes this time, and started right away again. It did this all afternoon!!! Randomly :confused::confused:

I had the hot-start problem with the Firebird. After a while, it wouldn't start because the starter was too hot. But at least, I had power!

Battery seems to be fine, lots of cranking power.

What could that be? Ground problem? Ignition switch? Alternator? I'm lost. And desperate.

Thanks
Dave

I'd start with a ground problem. Check all the connection to and from the battery. I had a similar thing happen on my T/A. It turned out the neg wire from the battery to engine was bad. A continuity tester/volt meter should be a big help.

If it were me, I would do this first.....

Look at your positive battery cable and follow it all the way from the batt to the starter looking for chafing. Do the same with the smaller gauge engine harness wire that attaches to the starter, and the large diameter wire that connects to the main termin al on the back of the alternator......look for loose connections and chafing of the wire insulation

If nothing there, then look very closely at both of the bulkhead connectors where they attach to the fusepanel.....maybe the engine harness connector is loose with one or both clips broken....

I agree with both posts above, Dave...how far are you from the west island?? Bring it over and I could check it out for ya...I'm in Bfld..

Robert

Rob,

I'm in Plateau Mont-Royal. I'd be glad to look it over with you, problem is, will I make it? Lousy place to get stuck on H-way 20... :eek:

I'll PM you. We'll figure out something.

Finally manage to do a search. Looks like you guys are pointing me to the right direction.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=438739

I finally found the problem. I was doing the wiring for the wiper motor. I moved the alternator harness and blawww. Nothing. I knew where the problem was. Turn on the lights, move the harness a little, and lost everything again. That explains why I was losing all power. Vibrations.

Cables are badly damage, corrosion and dirt... The alternator wire is spliced with a bridge connector with 2 other cables; one black, one white. I think I was suppose to find a fusible link in that harness... Diner was ready so I had to leave it like this. I guess the red wire is coming from the starter, the black feeds the fuze box... The white one goes to the passenger side. Don't know what it feeds...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ans/GTO012.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ans/GTO013.jpg

That Scotch Lock connector cannot hold up the the load. Solder the wires. :)

It held for a few years.. There is suppose to be a fusible link between those cables. I guess that's what I will do.

If it were my car, I would replace the engine harness and the front light harness IMMEDIATELY.

That is a fire waiting to happen.

Running without fusible links is very dangerous.