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-   -   Ignition Issues? (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716067)

UnchainedGTO 12-17-2012 11:33 PM

Ignition Issues?
 
My 79 TA is having intermitent stalling issues. When running it runs perfectly. The other night it died while I was rounding a corner. Wouldn't start at all. It was acting like it was not getting any spark. Once I had it towed to the house it fired right back up. The car has a stock HEI with a MSD box. I am leaning on pulling the MSD. Any thoughts?

Thank you,
Unchained

lust4speed 12-17-2012 11:58 PM

Before doing anything, try and confirm whether it is an ignition problem. Carry an extra spark plug with you and when it quits, pull a sparkplug wire and insert the sparkplug and set it on the valve cover. Turn over the engine and look for spark. If you have spark, move on to the fuel system. If no spark, I'd still look for bad connections (corroded or loose) before pulling out the MSD.

Aus Goat 12-18-2012 04:52 PM

i am going for loose wire .What work have you done since the last time everything was running right . Also check grounds

[QUOTE]When running it runs perfectly. The other night it died while I was rounding a corner. Wouldn't start at all. It was acting like it was not getting any spark. Once I had it towed to the house it fired right back up/QUOTE

Mr. G 12-18-2012 05:06 PM

Make sure the battery is tied down and that the positive side is not touching any grounded metal.

UnchainedGTO 12-18-2012 11:58 PM

All good suggestions. I will comb through the wiring this weekend. The battery is stationary and not budging. I plan to check the rear fuel lines as well just to make sure there are no cracks letting in air.

Greg Reid 12-19-2012 12:02 AM

I had the same problem about a month ago. I had a bad wire connector from the ignition switch to the BATT side of the HEI. Next time it stops on you, see if you have 12v at that point.

gtome 12-19-2012 08:15 AM

Mine used to do that. But mine was the module would fail when it got hot. When it cooled down it would fire again.

HWYSTR455 12-19-2012 08:22 AM

Is the coil in the cap? Next time it dies, put your hand on the cap where the coil is. If that thing is hot enough where you can't keep your hand on it, it's the coil. I had that issue when running an MSD with an HEI. Twice.

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A.W.Dille 12-20-2012 12:05 AM

I had a similiar issue with my Grand Prix a few years ago. Turned out to be the pick-up unit in the distributor went bad. Replaced it and haven't had any issues since. Might be worth checking.

Batman 12-20-2012 11:57 PM

I think you've gotten some good advice. I've had many HEI modules over the years that went intermittent like that before complete failure. I usually keep an assortment of known good modules on hand.

If you're running an electric fuel pump they will sometimes give you the same symptoms before failing completely.

An ignition failure cuts the engine off instantly like a switch was thrown while a fuel pump will usually sputter to a halt.


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