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Engine turn off while driving

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Old 09-21-2014, 05:25 PM
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Engine turn off while driving

I have 6 cylinder 89 camaro T-top that turns off while driving, when I try to turn it on again it won't crank at all for at least an hour. Than it turns on normally. I've change the thermostat, the fan switch, new alternator, new battery. Took it to the mechanic connected it to the computer, but he can't find anything wrong with it. Payed him for changing several sensors. While driving it back home it turn off again, waited about and hour and turn on fine. please help!!!
Old 09-21-2014, 05:34 PM
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Car: 89 IrocZ
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

Very possible the ICM in the distributor is getting hot.

You'll need a helper the next time it happens...when it dies and won't start, pull a plug wire. pull back the rubber insulator, have your helped try to start the car, while you have the bare end on the wire about 3/8ths an inch from the engine block.

You should see a nice fat blue spark as the engine is rotating.

About the only two things I can think in the ignition that can fail when hot to cause no spark, is the ICM and the actual coil.
Old 09-21-2014, 05:45 PM
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

The problem is that when this happen the engine won't even turn for at least an hour. I turn the key but nothing happens.
Old 09-21-2014, 06:12 PM
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

I see..you have a two separate issues

Do the headlights come on as normal (not dim) when this occurs?
Old 09-21-2014, 06:48 PM
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and venture a wild guess. I suggest checking your coolant of all things. My theory here is that your engine is getting too hot possibly, and that is causing expansion and locking up the engine until it cools down. Its a wild guess by potentially plausable. Just check your coolant and cooling system for anything out of the ordinary. I jad a neon that had this problem once, is why I am thinking this route might be possible.

Of course I am new to my own 6 cylinder so I could be completely wrong.
Old 09-22-2014, 08:28 AM
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

Hi again, We had a blackout, so I couldn't get my computer on. If I is heat problem. What causes the power loss in the engine. Is there a switch that cuts the power to the engine when it gets hot?
Old 09-22-2014, 05:09 PM
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Re: Engine turn off while driving

Originally Posted by jestrella4
Hi again, We had a blackout, so I couldn't get my computer on. If I is heat problem. What causes the power loss in the engine. Is there a switch that cuts the power to the engine when it gets hot?
No, the motor will just lock up because the piston resistance gets too great. When the metal cools down, it will shrink.


As already mentioned, when you lose power, do you have interior lights, headlights, dash lights, or is it all just dead?

If it's all dead during this time, go down and check the wires coming up from the starter, i'll be one of them is loose or broken and making intermittant connection.
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