Running problems :(

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Krax, Jul 22, 2010.

  1. Krax

    Krax Member

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    Whenever I go start up my car for the first time of the day, it's fine. Starts up, idles right after it warms up then I drive it for like 10 minutes and it dies and refuses to drive anymore. It'll start, then die out while idling for very long then refuse to even crank over after that. Anybody know what's wrong? I'm losing hope because everytime I fix something, something else goes wrong. :(
     
  2. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

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    sounds like the battery in not geting charged by the alternator. get a volt meter and check what the battery voltage is right after it dies. it should be above 12.4 volts. if the bat voltage is good then i would suspect that your ignition moduel is over heating and needs to be replaced. first check the battery and charging system.
     
  3. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    The '73 didn't have an ignition module unless someone upgraded to a DuraSpark. I have seen a bad solenoid switch cause this problem.
     
  4. simple man

    simple man Member

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    When you say "refuses to crank over" do you mean that the starter is not turning the engine or it is turning,but won't start? I don't think it is a battery or alternator problem,simply because you say it starts fine when it's cold. I'm going to say to check and see if you actually have ignition spark at one of the plugs when the engine dies. There are cheap spark testers you can buy at any auto parts store,just for this purpose. Unplug one of your sparkplug wires and plug in the tester. You will see a spark while you're cranking the engine. If you have a spark,then you have a bad fuel pump,clogged fuel filter,or the fuel tank has crap in it and the pickup clogs up after the car runs for awhile. I had a dirty fuel tank and my car did the same thing. If it is dirt in the tank,you can take out the sending unit,no fuel of course,put the BLOWER end of a shop vac into the filler and just leave it on for awhile. It will dry out the inside and let the dirt blow out. DO NOT ever try to suck out dirt with a vac because the fumes from the tank will explode from the vacs motor brushes sparking. Remember only blow in with the sending unit removed and the blower in the filler neck. Good Luck on it! It shouldn't be to much work.:)

    P.S. If you did not have ignition spark,the above posts should get you going!
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2010
  5. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    does sound like a gas starvation thing...(running out of gas).
    it doesn't sound like it's running long enough to be a stopped up vent.

    edit:
    I reread the post...it may be a vent problem. when the car dies...loosen the gas cap and see if it will start.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2010
  6. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Dies when hot...Wont restart till its cool...Vapor lock
    Or loss of ignition...Coils will die after getting hot...Check for spark immediately when it dies next time...
     
  7. Comick76

    Comick76 Grease Monkey

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    Just got done working on my friends Torino with the same symptoms. It was a partially clogged fuel pick up in the tank. No fuel in carb when it didn't want to start. And fuel level in carb dropped slowly as it was driven. Low fuel volume.
     
  8. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    All good ideas but before you do too much check your choke adjustment and the high idle speed.
     
  9. 302-72-mav

    302-72-mav Member

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    the easy way to see if it is a fuel problem

    look at the fuel filter if you have a clear plastic one by the motor

    or get some parts cleaner and when it doesn't want to start spray some down the carb then try it :)

    and my car had a problem like that it was the 2bbl carb it would get warmed up then start to dying on me then it would idel fine for a few seconds and when i would hit the gas it would die but it would run fine when it was just fired up

    so i put the 4bbl on it

    edit rev the motor up then stick your had over the carb untill it almost dies then rev it back up ( do that a few times then test drive it )
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2010
  10. darren

    darren Member

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    Didnt want to be picky and correct but I didnt want someone to think it was suppose to say HEAD. :huh::dizzy:
     
  11. 302-72-mav

    302-72-mav Member

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    beter safe then sorry (THANKS)
    :thumbs2::thumbs2::thumbs2::thumbs2::thumbs2::tiphat:
     
  12. Krax

    Krax Member

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    Thanks for everyone's input, I'll try everything until it works, the sending unit being clogged might be a good thing to check into, since I got my tank from a junk yard and instantly hooked it up cause I had to move it. :/
     

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