hello

I have an 89 firebird, with a carb 350, and an HEI electric dist(proform)

so, its 6am, im on my way home from work.

im coming off a stop light, accelerating normally, then the engine just shuts down. It didnt stumble, hesitate, miss, it just stopped, it was so sudden I thought the engine siezed. It was as if someone turned the key off or something.

I cranked the engine, and to my relief it started turning, but wouldnt fire. I played with the carb., and it had gas, so its not that.
It has to be in the ignition, so what should I look for?

it finally restarted, with no hesitation after I let it sit for about 3 minutes.

theoretical question: What would happen if the hot wire on the dist. came in contact with the tach. wire?
I do not have a harness that plugs in there,just 2 wires pressed into 2 seperate connectors, that clip into the leads on the dist.
its been this way for 20,000 miles, so I dont think its that.
Everything in the ignition systm has about 20,000 miles.

please help

 

test the ignition module and if it test good cold heat it up with a hair dryer or heat gun and test it again

 

Well, I was oming home from work last night in my 84 305, and the same thing happened. Just stopped sparking. I put a stick in the choke thinkin it was clogged but nothin. Finally I got my poor car towed and I just found out I need a new ignition module. So it definately sounds like you got the same problem. Anyone know the cost of one of these?

 

I would recommend an Accel ignition control module. The 7-pin module is about $50 from Summit and it is much smoother than the stock unit.

 

I just spoke with the mechanic where my car was towed and he wants $350 for putting in a !@#!@# ignition module!

 

That's completely ridiculous! PM or email me if you want detailed instructions on how to do it yourself, it's really easy and takes about 15 minutes.

 

thanx for the advice,
I dont think its the ignition module,
the engine was not even running for 5 minutes when this happened.

 

I'd say ede's idea is worth a shot, it's not hard at all and most auto parts stores will test it for free. The way electronics get hot and the way engines get hot are totally different, I think 5 minutes would be more than enough time for the module to heat up.

 

well I gave the mechanic $280, he put in a new ignition module and coil. Think i still got ripped? like 2 hours labor, and nyc aint cheap!

 

$280 for a simple 15 minute job? You got completely ripped off.

 

Yea that is way too much money to be paying. Were you there when he was working on it or did you leave and come back when he callled? I don't know how this job could of taken 2 hours.

 

I looked at the tack wire going into the cap... it was totally frayed, so I yanked it out.
Ive driven it around all day and it hasnt had a problem, I guess the hot was arking across to the tach?

 

No, I had to leave it here overnight cause it was towed. I'm goin to auto zone to price the parts he put in, than going back to him to see if he'll do the right thing. BTW, do you guys drive in overdrive?