Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-23-2024, 12:24 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default Car shutting off

On the last three or four times I have driven my 67 GTO, it has shut off shortly after driving maybe 200 feet.
When it shuts of the car is completely dead! No lights, horn or anything. After it sits for a minute it will crank up and run fine.
I got it home, and while idling I jiggled the ignition switch but nothing happened. I shut it off for a few minutes, cranked it back up and backed out of the garage and down the driveway. I then pulled back into he garage without incident.
What do I need to look at?

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #2  
Old 03-23-2024, 12:41 PM
ZeGermanHam's Avatar
ZeGermanHam ZeGermanHam is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,995
Default

Just throwing ideas out there, but do you have any circuit breakers with auto-reset in your electrical system?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	71iwS014NeL._SL1500_.jpg
Views:	352
Size:	40.4 KB
ID:	630895  

__________________

1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread)
1998 BMW 328is (track rat)
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily)
View my photos: Caught in the Wild
  #3  
Old 03-23-2024, 12:45 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeGermanHam View Post
Just throwing ideas out there, but do you have any circuit breakers with auto-reset in your electrical system?
No. The only alteration I made was to replace the points with an M&H breakerless ignition. The wiring harness was replaced with one from M&H when I built the car.

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #4  
Old 03-23-2024, 01:18 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

I just remembered that I switched to an internal voltage regulator alternator. I kept the stock engine wiring from M&H by using a junction block the goes in the firewall mounted voltage regulator housing. It also came from M&H.

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #5  
Old 03-23-2024, 02:32 PM
Cammer-6 Cammer-6 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: central Fla
Posts: 8,554
Default

when it dies,immediately put a meter on battery
trace it to first junction and further until you find where there is no voltage.
Do not discount grounds...most ignore and later find out that was the issue.

__________________
Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
The Following User Says Thank You to Cammer-6 For This Useful Post:
  #6  
Old 03-23-2024, 03:16 PM
lucky1 lucky1 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Laurel Md. 20723
Posts: 362
Default

Check your positive battery lead to starter solenoid.

The Following User Says Thank You to lucky1 For This Useful Post:
  #7  
Old 03-23-2024, 04:16 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,603
Default

Check your firewall plugs.

__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express
2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The Following User Says Thank You to OG68 For This Useful Post:
  #8  
Old 03-26-2024, 08:34 AM
Andre's Avatar
Andre Andre is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Hobe Sound (Tiger Land), Fl
Posts: 4,745
Default

I would look at the bulkhead connector as well as the hot line off the back of the alternator.

The Following User Says Thank You to Andre For This Useful Post:
  #9  
Old 03-26-2024, 10:46 AM
george kujanski's Avatar
george kujanski george kujanski is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: palatine, il. USA
Posts: 7,912
Default

Total shut off indicates the main battery feed to the firewall is intermittent. The path is: from the junction at the starter main bolt to the harness that runs along the driver's valve cover where it joins with the alternator output, then thru the fusible link in the harness (this is a problem area) then thru the firewall (another problem area).

Check the fusible link, it may be corroded. It's a length of smaller gauge wire, which is intended to melt if there is a short circuit.

George

__________________
"...out to my ol'55, I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, god knows i was feeling alive"....written by Tom Wait from the Eagles' Live From The Forum
The Following User Says Thank You to george kujanski For This Useful Post:
  #10  
Old 03-31-2024, 08:15 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

I haven't had a chance to try all the things that have been suggested, but I did check the connections and they all appear to be good and tight. All the wiring was replaced about 10-15 years ago with M&H harnesses. I hope to get time to look at the car this week. Funny, but when I was working it seemed like I had time to do things. Now that I am retired I can't get anything accomplished!

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #11  
Old 04-06-2024, 11:39 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

Well, I had to move the car from my house garage to my shop about 75 feet. When I cranked the car the battery was dead,. I charged it till it was
complete. Then I let it sit with the charger maintaining it overnight, This morning I removed the jumper cables and disconnected the positive cable and let the car sit for about 20 minutes. I hooked up my charger and it showed the battery was down to 85%. I am letting it sit on trickle charge overnight. I will check the charge in the morning then remove the charger cables and see if it drops with the positive cable removed.

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #12  
Old 04-09-2024, 12:32 AM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

It seems that the battery may not hold a charge. I charged it to 100% with the positive cable disconnected, It sat for about 8 hours before I could check it again. By then it was down to 90%. Could a bad cell be causing the problem? The only other thing I have done is replace the steering wheel and I made sure the switch was positioned correctly.Everything went back together, the horn worked and he turn signal switches worked as they should. I will check the battery charge in the morning.

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #13  
Old 04-09-2024, 09:49 AM
ID67goat's Avatar
ID67goat ID67goat is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 446
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fyrffytr1 View Post
It seems that the battery may not hold a charge. I charged it to 100% with the positive cable disconnected, It sat for about 8 hours before I could check it again. By then it was down to 90%. Could a bad cell be causing the problem? The only other thing I have done is replace the steering wheel and I made sure the switch was positioned correctly.Everything went back together, the horn worked and he turn signal switches worked as they should. I will check the battery charge in the morning.
Yes, change the battery. I had an Optima battery that seemed like it was OK, but sometimes after driving the car it would not crank over. I thought for sure it was something with the grounds, ignition switch, etc. but after swapping the battery never had an issue again.

I don’t think that batter quality is what it used to be…..

  #14  
Old 04-09-2024, 09:35 PM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

Another restorer said to change the battery. I will buy a new one tomorrow. He said the Diamond brand I have has been having problems.

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #15  
Old 04-10-2024, 11:02 AM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

Before I go to the expense of a new battery, can someone tell me where to find the fusible link in my M&H wiring harness?

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #16  
Old 04-10-2024, 11:27 AM
fyrffytr1's Avatar
fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Leesburg, Georgia
Posts: 6,179
Default

Could this possibly be my problem? I took the wires off and cleaned the connections, then put them back making sure they were on good.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20240410_111841.jpg
Views:	379
Size:	54.8 KB
ID:	631861  

__________________
Remember no one is perfect. Everyone's butt has a crack in it!
  #17  
Old 04-10-2024, 12:04 PM
Greg Reid's Avatar
Greg Reid Greg Reid is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Palmetto, GA. USA
Posts: 16,177
Default

Phil, have you tried a trouble light or meter hooked in line with the battery to see if any current is being pulled while it's parked?

__________________
Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

  #18  
Old 04-10-2024, 02:04 PM
rohrt rohrt is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Posts: 4,156
Default

How old is the battery? It may be time for a new one. I always get AC delco batteries myself.

I'm with Greg on using a meter to troubleshoot with. If you don't have a light or meter. If you touch the positive connector the battery do you get a spark (Key off, doors closed)? Do you hear any clicks of relays engaging?

Your first post makes me think its just a bad battery connection. Even if its tight it might have a bunch of corrosion. I would make sure both ends of the battery cables are good and clean to shinny metal. Do you have a separate wire off the positive battery cable that feeds the bulk head connector?

  #19  
Old 04-10-2024, 03:01 PM
george kujanski's Avatar
george kujanski george kujanski is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: palatine, il. USA
Posts: 7,912
Default

What am I looking at in the pic?

__________________
"...out to my ol'55, I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, god knows i was feeling alive"....written by Tom Wait from the Eagles' Live From The Forum
  #20  
Old 04-10-2024, 03:07 PM
george kujanski's Avatar
george kujanski george kujanski is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: palatine, il. USA
Posts: 7,912
Default

An abrupt shutoff indicates a break in the power connection to the cabin.abattery issue would not normally cause shutdown when running due to the alt providing power. The beak has to be between the bat, alt and cabin, like thru the fuseblock. Or fusible link, if the link is between the bat/ alt connection and the firewall fuse block.

__________________
"...out to my ol'55, I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, god knows i was feeling alive"....written by Tom Wait from the Eagles' Live From The Forum
The Following User Says Thank You to george kujanski For This Useful Post:
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:17 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017