car operating as normal , suddenly rpms die and i coast to a stop
battery is fine
engine turns over
no start ?
plenty of fuel
alternator is new

have no idea
is this distributor ?
plugs , plugs are fairly new < 5000 k
signal is lost it seems

 

bump car is stranded

bump bump

 

what about spark

 

Check spark.

Did the tach freak out before it died?

If so, maybe an ignition module.

 

Did you check the power to the distributor?
I had that fall out once and it did the same thing.

 

i havnt looked at anything yet i changed the breather yesterday it s possible i knocked the power to the distributor
hopefully it is as simple as that

 

Since you were working in the general area yesterday, I hope that's it.

 

toehead the tac did not freak out it simply dropped to zero at 80 klm/hr
with no response from the engine afterward - i tried starting hours later and still nothing

 

Probably not the ingition module then. They tend to get a little twitchy before they die.

It could be as simple as a loose connection at the distributor.

 

o k , Thank You everyone
i m off to troubleshoot

n1446

 

so i checked the distributor and all is o k
there is a small fuel drip on one fuel line , accounted for , sitll no difference
no fire

 

break it down

how did you diagnose the dissy

what is the pick up coil and the res on that

where did you take the ign mod

how did you test the coil

 

ignition module.

 

i went to check the cables running to the distributor and everything is connected , i followed all the wires running off it and all are connected

i ve had this car since february and where things are is still relatively new to me i have no mannual

 

I would get a voltmeter and make sure that the distributor is getting power.

Pull a plug and check for spark. If not, and you are getting power at the distributor, pull the ignition control module and have it tested at a parts house.

 

there is no spark comming from the plug wires
pulled the plug this afternoon stuck a screwdriver inside it and near touched the frame , no spark in any case
this distributor has eight posts no post in the middle , there is a latch clip across the topside
looks like a fuse box cover in a way
it s possible to remove all eight plug wires from the distributor cap without removing the distributor itself remy /delco remy is the brand

 

yes. That is a coil in cap distributor , which is exactly what it sounds like. Just remember where the wires go on the cap.

 

great
again Thank you every one for the direction

N1446

83 Firbird aka _ Stank_BooTy

 

++

 

pic # 1
took the coil to a local shop and it tested O k

pic # 2
now i m into the distributor

pic number 2 is distributor with cap off exposing the rotor

local shop directed me to the problem being -more likely- the pickup coil -than the module itself

i m not sure what to replace now , i have the ignition module on order for next week ?

how to test the pickup coil ?

 

By looking at your photos you need to pull the distributor out and rebuild it. Looks like rust on the pick up coil. The mechanical advance will probably need bushings and springs. Might be easer to buy a reman. unit and swap it out. Easy to do, mark the fire wall where the rotor is pointing and where the vacuum advance is pointing on the intake. Pull it out and put the new unit in where the old one was and let it rip.I would replace the cap, rotor button, and wires while I was there.

 

they are like 80 bucks to your door off ebay

make sure they sell alot of them and they have over a 98% with over 1000 items sold

 

ok what are the chances i buy distributor , replace it and still have no spark is this an ignitor problem then ?

ignitor or distributor first ?

 

None, because everything is contained in the distributor except the coil and you had it checked. Ingition module is in the didtributor. bolted to the floor plate in the back.

 

ok have a distributor on the way
Thanks 4 sharing - tryin to keep the bird afloat

N1446

Charlottetown

 

o Kay
First of all Thank U every 1 for your help

i picked a distributor from an 86 trans am and installed it tonight
the difference between the two is astonishing and i m am in shock at the moment

FTR

83 305 firebird se distributor interchanged with 86 TransAm 305 distributor

Makes rediculous difference
revs inprove 15 % -25 %

Lights both rear tires in dry weather

serious acceleration from StoP

1 happy teenage boy

lives in me

N1446