1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

No Spark; engine suddenly stopped

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-22-20, 08:58 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CPenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Indiana
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
No Spark; engine suddenly stopped

Hi everyone. 1980, electronic ignition. Just rebuilt carb, fired it up and it ran for the first time since I owned it. The low idle needed adjustment. Left it for the night, and continued the next night. Made a small adjustment to idle, fired it up and it was running. Then suddenly it died. It was not a gas stall out, but was so sudden that it had to be electric. No spark condition was quickly determined. Engine turns fine, but will not fire.

The three fusible links appear fine as I slid my voltmeter probe onto both sides of each one. There is only around 1.5 volts at each of the coils when the key is in the forward position.

Could a bad ignition module cause this? What about the ignition switch?

Any thoughts or further diagnosis on this are appreciated.

Thanks!
Old 10-22-20, 07:02 PM
  #2  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,314
Received 359 Likes on 250 Posts
On the 80s, the Ignitors are located in a separate housing bolted to the driver's side strut tower, follow the leads from the distributor cap to the Ignitor module and there you will find 2 Ignitors, one of which is likely bad - and I'm guessing it's for the Leading Coil, since the engine died abruptly. You can try swapping the Ignitors by position and try to start it, as it will start and run with only Leading spark, as Trailing spark is more for power and fuel economy to induce a more efficient burn.

Secondly, you might look at your Cap and Rotor on the distributor to see if anything shook loose or isn't making a good connection. Check all of your under dash fuses, as well, since there are a few there for Fuel Pump operation and other important stuff.

Lastly, since this was the first time it's run since you've owned it - Congratulations! Now you've proven that it runs, it's just a matter of tuning it up.
The following users liked this post:
7aull (10-23-20)
Old 10-23-20, 07:31 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CPenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Indiana
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by LongDuck
On the 80s, the Ignitors are located in a separate housing bolted to the driver's side strut tower, follow the leads from the distributor cap to the Ignitor module and there you will find 2 Ignitors, one of which is likely bad - and I'm guessing it's for the Leading Coil, since the engine died abruptly. You can try swapping the Ignitors by position and try to start it, as it will start and run with only Leading spark, as Trailing spark is more for power and fuel economy to induce a more efficient burn.

Secondly, you might look at your Cap and Rotor on the distributor to see if anything shook loose or isn't making a good connection. Check all of your under dash fuses, as well, since there are a few there for Fuel Pump operation and other important stuff.

Lastly, since this was the first time it's run since you've owned it - Congratulations! Now you've proven that it runs, it's just a matter of tuning it up.
Thanks for the great suggestions ! I'll give all that a try over the weekend and report back later.
Old 10-26-20, 05:51 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
CPenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Indiana
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by LongDuck
On the 80s, the Ignitors are located in a separate housing bolted to the driver's side strut tower, follow the leads from the distributor cap to the Ignitor module and there you will find 2 Ignitors, one of which is likely bad - and I'm guessing it's for the Leading Coil, since the engine died abruptly. You can try swapping the Ignitors by position and try to start it, as it will start and run with only Leading spark, as Trailing spark is more for power and fuel economy to induce a more efficient burn.

Secondly, you might look at your Cap and Rotor on the distributor to see if anything shook loose or isn't making a good connection. Check all of your under dash fuses, as well, since there are a few there for Fuel Pump operation and other important stuff.

Lastly, since this was the first time it's run since you've owned it - Congratulations! Now you've proven that it runs, it's just a matter of tuning it up.
Turns out it was indeed the fuse! Now that it is running, its on to the tranny, which will not go into reverse, I was told.....which is the reason why it sat in a garage for 5 years. Clutch master cylinder seized up, so I still won't be able to truly diagnose the tranny for a few more days.

Thanks again
Old 11-01-20, 10:52 AM
  #5  
RX HVN

iTrader: (2)
 
7aull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,889
Received 227 Likes on 167 Posts
Be sure to start a NEW thread if the Gearbox needs assist - or we will never see it

Stu A
80GS
AZ
The following users liked this post:
DummyFixer (11-02-20)
Old 11-02-20, 10:19 AM
  #6  
Rotary Fan

 
DummyFixer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Festus, Missouri
Posts: 229
Received 37 Likes on 31 Posts
MO

Great suggestion, 7Aull.

Last edited by DummyFixer; 11-02-20 at 10:22 AM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
snowbreaker
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
16
09-08-11 04:25 PM
rwatson5651
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
19
09-02-10 06:23 PM
chris_stampe
Microtech
9
08-23-06 10:37 PM
gshaffer
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
2
04-03-05 06:50 PM



Quick Reply: No Spark; engine suddenly stopped



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 PM.