oldschool

Well had the car-(1985 Firebird, 2.8 V6 54k miles) out Sunday and about 10 min. into the trip, and going about 30 MPH, and in traffic, the engine shuts off. Man handle the car over to the side without getting into a wreck, and bring it to a stop.Try and restart it and it cranks but will not start. The fuel pump runs and primes the system, but no start up. Check engine light flashes on and off during cranking, but no codes when I ground the diagnostic connector. I arrange for a tow and wait. After about 20 min I try it and it starts right up. I drive it home and park it in the driveway. Next day I start it up and let it idle. Like a clock after about 10 min the engine suddenly dies. Again no codes. Could the ignition module be over heating?

Doward

Check the ICM, yes.

Also check the pickup coil.

And unfortunately, I'd suggest finding a spare ECM to test that, too (the code flashing while starting is making me think that)

oldschool

Thanks for the advise. I'll check it out.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

I had that happen to me about three times after the engine bay fire. Only I had to wait at least 10 mins, and two of the times the injectors could be heard clicking away bythem selves when I had the keys inmy hand. I still don'tknow exactly what got fried enough to do that, especially as I got a good look at the harness when I pulled it, but another engine swap fixed that.

KED85

COIL COIL
BOIL IN TROUBLE!
Really add new coil AND ALSO CHECK alternator!
AND
yes
the Check engine does FLASH while starting.
It does it TWICE when key is in "turned on" position, that is normal. Check it out next time. I was educated/told that & yes, it does that it's normal part of "light sequence". It's just something ya not notice, until ya start to look for "clues".
But yes, coil is overheated (by location next to manifolds) & engine dies. Once coil cools down ya got a chance to run car, but it's coil dying.
No matter how low are you miles, it's coil. Cheap check, it like $30ish.

oldschool

Yes, it acts like a heat related failure. The engine dies 10 min. into warm up after starting wheather the car in sitting idling in the driveway or in gear going 35MPH. It will then attempt to start if the key is turned, and then stumble and stall with the flashing check engine light, but set no ECM codes. If its allowed to sit and cool it will restart, but sometimes run rough, sometimes normal. Yes, I guess it could be the coil. Sitting in that bracket over the right exhaust manifold, its been cooked for 20 years!

OK, thanks for the additional tips, I'll get on it

TomP

Yeah, most definately the spark module... not sure about the blinking SES light, though. Pick up an extra tube of heat sink grease from a Radio Shack, the new spark module only comes with a little tiny packet of the stuff. If you don't use the heat sink grease that new module will die quick!

oldschool

Tom, is that the same as the dielectric stuff used for tune ups?

bulletboy29

Mine acted this way once and it turned out to be the ECM.

FirebirdNYC

i had a similiar problem during the summer, ended up being the fuel injectors , after replacing every damn thing you can think of , including fuel pump which wasnt very fun