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[GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343952] Wed, 05 June 2019 18:04 Go to next message
rallymaster is currently offline  rallymaster   United States
Messages: 662
Registered: February 2004
Location: North Plains, ORYGUN
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Senior Member

Driving down the freeway in our 78 GMC...the engine quit, then resumed
running a couple of seconds later. No recurrence of this in the next
400 miles. Any ideas?

Thanks,
ronC


Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
1978 Eleganza II


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Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343953 is a reply to message #343952] Wed, 05 June 2019 19:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tom Newell is currently offline  Tom Newell   United States
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Location: Los Angeles, California
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Every old thing I have owned has done this at some point (except the Alfa Romeo, oddly). The Triumph was almost comical, as it seemed to understand that "late-night-middle-of-nowhere" was the time-place to make this happen.

Ghosts, me thinks... Laughing

Seriously though, it has mostly been fuel filters getting to the end-of-life.

Good luck,

Tom Newell
San Pedro, California


Proud Citizen of
Los Angeles, California
Founded 1781 as
El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles,
Alta California

[Updated on: Wed, 05 June 2019 19:11]

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Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343954 is a reply to message #343952] Wed, 05 June 2019 21:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pvfjr is currently offline  pvfjr   United States
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Location: Mehama Oregon
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First things that come to my mind are either an interruption in fuel delivery (as mentioned already) or intermittent ignition. For fuel, it could be a lazy/inefficient pump, clogged filters, leaking tank-to-pump lines allowing air to get sucked into the lines, etc. For ignition, it could be an intermittent coil, control module, or ignition power connection.
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343955 is a reply to message #343953] Wed, 05 June 2019 21:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Ron, more than likely a electrical issue. Probably a loose connector in the
ignition circuit. If you have HEI, I would remove the coil cover on top of
the cap and check the plug in connections. That is a frequent offender.
Other places to inspect is where the ignition primary circuit starts at the
base of the steering column. There is a multi-pin connector there that is
vulnerable to shoes and stuff like that. Also, the starter solenoid where
the starter primary wires hook up.
Jim Hupy

On Wed, Jun 5, 2019, 5:11 PM Tom Newell via Gmclist
wrote:

> Every old thing I have owned has done this at some point (except the Alfa
> Romeo, oddly). The Triumph was almost comical, as it seemed to understand
> that "late-night-middle-of-nowhere" was the time-place to make this happen.
>
> Ghosts, me thinks... :lol:
>
> Good luck,
>
> Tom Newell
> San Pedro, California
> --
> Proud Citizen of
> Los Angeles, California
> Founded 1781 as
> El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles, Alta California
>
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Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343957 is a reply to message #343954] Wed, 05 June 2019 22:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Worobec is currently offline  Gary Worobec   United States
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Registered: May 2005
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I had the same issue, died and then pulled over and started right up. The next time it died was on the highway. Turns out the HEI coil was shorting. Changed the coil and it fired right up. You could see the arcing on the ground strap when I took the top of the distributor off. Replaced the coil and Dick Paterson said to put a little JB weld on the screws holding the coil because they just go into plastic and might come breaking the ground connection

Thanks,
Gary Worobec

> On Jun 5, 2019, at 7:16 PM, Paul Ferrigno Jr via Gmclist wrote:
>
> First things that come to my mind are either an interruption in fuel delivery (as mentioned already) or intermittent ignition. For fuel, it could be a
> lazy/inefficient pump, clogged filters, leaking tank-to-pump lines allowing air to get sucked into the lines, etc. For ignition, it could be an
> intermittent coil, control module, or ignition power connection.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343958 is a reply to message #343952] Wed, 05 June 2019 23:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
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Wait until that happens in the airplane that you are flying. That really gets your attention.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343959 is a reply to message #343958] Wed, 05 June 2019 23:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Stu Rasmussen is currently offline  Stu Rasmussen   United States
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On 6/5/2019 9:11 PM, Ken Burton via Gmclist wrote:
> Wait until that happens in the airplane that you are flying. That really gets your attention.
>

Especially at night.

The instructions are:

1: Turn on the landing light.

2: If you don't like what you see, turn off the light.

Stu
'73 Gutted Eleganza II
Silverton, OR

The three best things in life are a good landing, a good orgasm, and, a
good bowel movement. The night carrier landing is one of the few
opportunities in life where you get to experience all three at the same
time.


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Stu Rasmussen W7QJ Silverton, OR '77 Birchaven
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343962 is a reply to message #343952] Thu, 06 June 2019 07:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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That's when you realize the fan on front is to keep the pilot cool. When it quits, you sweat. Happened twice...... Cub and Sundowner, for different reasons.

As to the Triumph, there's a reason Joseph Lucas is known as The Prince of Darkness.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343964 is a reply to message #343959] Thu, 06 June 2019 07:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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Stu Rasmussen (97381. wrote on Wed, 05 June 2019 23:39
On 6/5/2019 9:11 PM, Ken Burton via Gmclist wrote:
> Wait until that happens in the airplane that you are flying. That really gets your attention.
>

Especially at night.

The instructions are:

1: Turn on the landing light.

2: If you don't like what you see, turn off the light.

Stu
A pilot friend of mine added to this:

3. As you are approaching the ground, put your head down between your legs.

4. Kiss your ass goodby.


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343966 is a reply to message #343962] Thu, 06 June 2019 08:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Randy Hecht is currently offline  Randy Hecht   United States
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Location: Roswell, GA
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Member
Also why UK has warm beer.

Chaplain Randy Hecht
Chaplains are ready to Listen when you're ready to talk.

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 8:41 AM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist wrote:
>
> That's when you realize the fan on front is to keep the pilot cool. When it quits, you sweat. Happened twice...... Cub and Sundowner, for different
> reasons.
>
> As to the Triumph, there's a reason Joseph Lucas is known as The Prince of Darkness.
>
> --johnny
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343967 is a reply to message #343964] Thu, 06 June 2019 08:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Sandra Price is currently offline  Sandra Price   United States
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Registered: May 2006
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This is better than the daily "funnies" we used to read. A good start to
our day. Thanks.

Sandra and Bob

On Thu, Jun 6, 2019, 7:53 AM Larry via Gmclist
wrote:

> Stu Rasmussen (97381. wrote on Wed, 05 June 2019 23:39
>> On 6/5/2019 9:11 PM, Ken Burton via Gmclist wrote:
>>> Wait until that happens in the airplane that you are flying. That
> really gets your attention.
>>>
>>
>> Especially at night.
>>
>> The instructions are:
>>
>> 1: Turn on the landing light.
>>
>> 2: If you don't like what you see, turn off the light.
>>
>> Stu
>
> A pilot friend of mine added to this:
>
> 3. As you are approaching the ground, put your head down between your legs.
>
> 4. Kiss your ass goodby.
>
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
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>
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Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343969 is a reply to message #343952] Thu, 06 June 2019 08:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
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I would lean towards an electrical problem. In my experience fuel problems are usually more stumbling than On/Off/On issues.

I had a random issue with the engine cutting out. It finally happened at home and I was able to troubleshoot the problem. Turned out to be a poor crimp on the conductor of the HEI power connector. The crimp on the insulation was good, but the conductor itself was loose. This was a factory wiring harness crimp so it was likely giving issues over the past 40 years... getting worse as time when one with oxidation.

I also had a similar issue last summer with the engine randomly cutting out. I have the EBL EFI system and had noticed the speedometer on the EBL display randomly jumping up by 30+ MPH. Randy V. told me to check the VSS filter. Increasing the filter setting smoothed out the speed readings and the random cutout went away. The EBL system has an Overspeed control so I suspect it was seeing a random very high speed and reacted to it. I fixed the VSS sensor as well (replaced the reed switch)


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343970 is a reply to message #343952] Thu, 06 June 2019 08:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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Location: Woodstock, IL
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If the cut off was sudden as if you shut off the key--- most likely electrical.
If it sagged and faltered-- most likely fuel.


John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343976 is a reply to message #343970] Thu, 06 June 2019 11:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tmsnyder is currently offline  tmsnyder   United States
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Sounds like the ignition module in an HEI distributor

Todd Snyder, Buffalo NY 1976 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] engine quit, then restarted itself [message #343980 is a reply to message #343976] Thu, 06 June 2019 12:48 Go to previous message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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WEre finding that the coil and module fight against each and have caused us
to replace both.
Should you have choice, get the higher priced ones as they seem to last. I
prefer to use the Delco brand on my personal coaches.

On Thu, Jun 6, 2019 at 9:29 AM Todd Snyder via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Sounds like the ignition module in an HEI distributor
> --
> Todd Snyder, Buffalo NY
> 1976 Eleganza II
>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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