I have been trying to figure out this problem for a while now with no luck. My 88 IROC's engine is now dieing after I run it for a few minutes or more. It is very consistent. If I let the car sit for a while (1/2 hour - an hour or more) and try to start it fires right up and seems to run perfect. After it runs for a minute up to a few minutes it suddenly just dies out. Very quickly, no sputter, etc. If I try to immediately restart it, it won't start. I have to let it sit for a while. After it sits for a while untouched, it will again fire right up and run like a top. After a running for a minute or more, it again dieing. The process repeats.

I've done some troubleshooting and during the time that it won't start it has no spark. So obviously the question is what is causing the no spark situation. My ignition setup consists of a MSD 6AL ignition, a MSD multi-step retard box, MSD Pro-Billet distributor, MSD blaster 2 coil. I think those are all of the main ignition components that I should mention. Anyway, after some troubleshooting and a call to MSD, they told me they thought it was the ignition module. I replaced it with the original from my stock distributor (which work fine when I removed it) and after that it started right up and then died a miute or so later. Still had the same problem. I've tried other coils and I still get the same reslt. It dies after running for a few minutes, but will start and run fine again after I let it sit for a while. The MSD tech said that the MSD 6ALs either work or don't work. He said he did not think it was the 6AL because of this.

So what could be causing the no-spark situation or how can I troubleshoot it? My car has been at a stand-still too long! Help!

The MSD retard box? Computer? etc? AHHH!

Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

 

try hooking the coil to the distributor, leaving all the msd unhooked if it runs eliminate them one at a time to find where the problem is, that is if it fires with just the coil, later jimmy

 

MSD's website has some troubleshooting steps that show how to determine if your box is working. In my case it I turn on the key and ground the MSD white wire to the chasie the coild should fire a spark. MSD says if it does, that the box is good. I tried it on mine and it works. But I'll try anything at this point! But it has been sooo long since I installed the MSD I don't exactly remember how I would go about removing it from the car. Are the any wiring diagrams that you know of that could show how to remove / add the MSD in a way that should allow the car to run?

 

go on www.autozone .com type in wiring diagrams, jimmy

 

would be apt to believe if it started and ran for only a few minutes it isnt ignition check your FP after the engine dies out

 

As I said, I checked for spark when the engine won't start and there is no spark. Plus I have a fuel pressure gauge that is permanently attached to my fuel rail, and the fuel pressure is always there.

I'm looking for reasons what I'd have an intermittent spark issue.

 

why are you running a retard box?

where did you check for spark? what about the power to the MSD?

 

I am running the retard box because I have NOS on the car.

Power to the MSD is fine. As I said, I went through the troubleshooting steps that MSD has in their wiring diagrams, which apparently just test the MSD box itself. I'm not sure how confident I am with their feedback though. The test showed that the box is working.

 

okay then go through the steps here http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/6%20series/6series.pdf after the car has died out it shows you how to manually discharge the coil if that works after the car has died then it isnt the ignition

 

Check the white wire going to the tach, i hear if it heats up and grounds the coil wont fire. when the ground condition is removed the coil will spark again.

 

Well, I figured it out by process of elimination. I had already tested the MSD box, the coil, and the ignition module. Next I decided to remove the retard box from the equation. Without the retard box, it runs like a top. It must have went bad with age. I had double-checked all of its grounds, connections, etc.

Another issue resolved.

Thanks.