It just dies

[GripGreg]

Thanx for all of your help, Peter!
Guys, I just had my engine rebuilt, as you know. Now, it just dies while driving, then maybe in 3 to 5 seconds it comes alive again. The first time was on the freeway coming home from San Diego. Then again, and again yesterday. What are the differant sensors involved here?
Thanx in advance,,,,Greg[/list]

[Peter Florance]

Does it die with a lurch, or loose power and slowly die?

Trying a spare ignition box would be my first check.

Also check ignition switch (wiggle key while it's running)

[GripGreg]

Thanx Peter,,,it just dies, no lurch. Is the ignition box on the firewall, passenger side? If yes there's a NEW one there. I'll check the ignition switch. I'm guessing there are more possibilities, but. I'll take it to my mechanic for him to put the car on a diagnostic machine. I know that sometimes stuff doesn't register until it's actually happening. When it died coming from San Diego, I had the head lights on; I don't recall them going dim though.
Thanx again, Peter,,,,Greg

[Peter Florance]

Also check combo relay per FAQ

[Lenny D.]

Thanx for all of your help, Peter!
Guys, I just had my engine rebuilt, as you know. Now, it just dies while driving, then maybe in 3 to 5 seconds it comes alive again. The first time was on the freeway coming home from San Diego. Then again, and again yesterday. What are the differant sensors involved here?
Thanx in advance,,,,Greg[/list]

I'll put in a suggestion for the impulse transmitter for my first post on this board! I had one give me an intermittent no-start condition that was difficult to diagnose.

[larsobg]

Common rule about replacing parts... if they work--- don't. Why did you put in a new box. Second rule... New doesn't mean good. A lot of these replacement parts have been sitting in parts bins for 30 years and have been moved and knocked about. Electronics are particularly sensitive to age and they can corrode, or other.

If the old ignition box did not actually fail, do you still have it and can you put it back on for a trial.

[GripGreg]

Thanx Peter, Lenny & lars
If this is the same Lars as before; doggonit, can't get away from ya!
Thanx for hangin' in here!!
It turned out to be the plug-in connector on the bottom side of the distributor!
Thanx Lenny, also. I put the same sensor, or whatever, back in place. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, huh? Another good tip. But, I'll go to pic-a-part for back-up stuff, for sure! Much cheaper than $110.00!
You guys are still on the awesome side of regular.
Don't you go away, I can't make it w/o you!!! (small shadetree)
Thanx again,,,,Greg

[1st 5er]

It turned out to be the plug-in connector on the bottom side of the distributor!

Haven't owned a distributored car for a while.
Thanks for the tip, hopefully unneeded in the future.