1984 trans am

This morning on the way to work, my car died.
I was coming off a red light, at about 1/2 throttle, I was in the left most of 3 lanes and needed to get over to the right. Before I could change lanes, luckily, my stereo cut out, then my RPM gauge dropped and was pointing straight down. I could rev the engine, for about 5 seconds, but it was very weak. Then it stalled and would not start back up.

Over the weekend, I had a problem with the switch that is mounted on the steeting column. The switch controls or partially controls when the car starts, it works with the neutral lock and the position of the key, etc. There is a metal rod that gets pulled toward you when you turn the key, something wasnt making contact unless i pulled the rod maually, so I bent the rod to make it pull harder, and it was fine for 2 days.

The only other thing I can think of that this might be related to, is, about 2 summers ago, some of the wires in the harness fused together, I think from heat coming off the headers. When that happened, the car died in a similar manner. I had the harness replced... but I guess it could easily happen again.

Any ideas ?

 

You might want to check the ignition chip and the coil. If you bring either to your local auto parts store they'll test it for you right infront of you.

 

you said your radio cut out. did you notice any other power drain? headlights work? You said the car wouldn't start back up. Did the starter engage, or did it do nothing? If so, get your alternator tested.

 

When i turn the key I get nothing at all. But
All my dash lights work, and my radar detector will switch on (plugged into cig lighter). Also my headlights will not come up.

It worked perfect 2 days ago. I think its the Ignition switch, because I had problems with it over the weekened, but I will get everything else tested. The switch wasn't engaging unless I manually pulled on the metal rod which is connected to the key mechanism.

Also the coil is only about a year old, and I'm not sure what you mean by the ignition chip.

 

By the chip, he means the ignition module that sits on the distributor underneath the cap. Car's not starting now? Did you try to jump start it and nothing? CHECK FOR A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE. even if they appear tight, give the posts a turn to tighten them down. If they are tight at the battery, check the cable at the starter.

 

I have checked the battery cables, retightened them. I am in the process of installing a new ignotion switch, very much a pain in the ***... i cant reach the screw holding it on, in the back, and i cant get the wiring out of it =\

Everything so far points to the ignition switch, I think.
I get dash lights, turn signal, high beam indicator and power from the cig lighter.

But the car wont start. when i disconnected the negative battery cable, i got sparks.

The starter is fine, I has to be, it was working perfectly 2 days ago, and in my experience they dont just stop, they get weaker, then stop.

 

Ahh sorry, by ignition chip I meant switch. That's what I think it'd be too, but you might as well get the coil checked since you have the cap off.

 

Yeah that's starting to make a little more sense. Sometimes, though starters do just up and quit on you. I've had it happen to me. If your switch is as bad as you say it is, I would change it myself too, and even if that's not the problem, it's one less pain in the A$$.

 

Its an MSD HEI coil, I hope it didn't die already =(

Has anyone changed the ingnition switch before... Is there a trick to getting the far bolt out.. I can barely reach it.

 

Ok, I will let the images explain whats going on.
Basically, the new and old switch dont seem to match.

Old switch


Old switch plug side


New switch


New switch plug side


I am going to advance auto tommorow to look at all the other possible switches for my car. =\

Has anyone done this before ?

 

bump