Another electrical problem....

I ordered a new module and pickup coil from Rock Auto. Should be here in a day or so. I just don't trust a car that cuts off on the road and there is no way to be sure the problem is fixed. This is the price we all pay for all these electronic controls we must deal with on newer cars. This one is 20 years old, but still has a lot more electric stuff than I like. Power stuff like door locks and windows is fine, as that won't leave you stuck. Computers, sensors, and electric fuel pumps will. Also, it takes an electronics tech to even find the problem. I can fix most anything that goes wrong with an older car. I will try it out locally and see how it does. I will be sure to keep my AAA towing insurance current, as well.

 

Yep, I'm with you there DG. Too many bits to fail. Can you imagine yourself stuck on a roadtrip to Mexico, waiting for 2 days for a part from Rock Auto?

I blew a water pump on mine coming back to Canada, right in front of a one-garage village restaurant in Texas, in August 1999.

My wife went inside and had lunch, while I ripped it out, and the guy had 2 new pumps on the shelf for the 302 (back then) and 6 pumps for the I6 (my current mill).

At least I know that the Giggling Pin goes into the Laughing Shaft! Since Henry start building them, until he went Asian for complexity.

 

Used to have an old Dodge van. I carried a water pump and fuel pump with me. Think I had a starter and alternator, too. It is always in the back of my mind that a fuel pump will go out on the road. Unbolting it from the side of the block is one thing, but dropping the tank (usually full) is another. Some cars have external pumps, but all mine are in the tank. Just don't trust them.

 

I had a nice camperized 1981 Dodge Van - captains seats and porthole side windows. Nice rig. Also had a minty 1968 Dodge pickup. Sweet workhorse, both 318 CID. Reliable is an understatement. Couldn't kill them, and our Winters can. Best starters ever made in my book!

 

DG, I think you've nailed it.
My Firebird had an HEI distributor - exact same symptoms. Replaced the pick-up coil and ignition module; problems solved. Another possibility is a bad coil, but in my experience a bad coil will usually "break up" and create misfires before completely shutting down.

Unfortunately in my case, the ignition module kept checking "good" on the tester at the parts store, so I kept trying different things that did not make any difference.

 

I pulled the distributor today and replaced the pickup coil and the control module. Will give it a try and see what it does. Thanks to all for the help!

 

Let us know. Enquiring minds want to know!

 

Will do...plan to stick close to home with it for a while, though.

 

Your description sounds like it lost fire to me also. If I were to throw parts at it after checking for loose connections related to ignition I'd put a module in the distributor (they're cheap and at this age you got your money's worth from the first one). Or in the glovebox if you are comfortable with roadside repairs.
Damn things act up with heat and vibration. Pre '74 if you don't want to deal them my friend.

 

Never cared for roadside repairs. This is why I want to keep my rides as simple as possible. I will drive the wagon this weekend and see what it does. New module and new pickup coil......hope that did the trick.

 

Then buy a diesel...