Topic: 1980 Corvette stops running
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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Hello to all. I hope I can get this problem solved.
My car starts easily, runs smoothly for about 5 minutes then dies. I don't appear to have a charging issue. I have checked the ignition system by running the heater blower (it keeps running even though the engine dies). It dies if I'm driving or just sitting in the garage. Also, yesterday as I sat and watched it until it died, it did seem to get a little "rough" just before it died.
Any suggestions on where to start looking?
Can the engine control computer effect it?
Thanks
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Not much of a computer on an '80. Have you checked to ensure you have fuel? Sounds like a fuel starvation problem to me with the info above.
I'd recommend you start with a fuel filter change (the one in the carb block where the fuel line goes in) as well as any others you may find.
Also, the sock on the fuel pump in the tank may be full of stuff and/or there is something in the lines.
One other possibility, has the fuel set for quite a while? If so, then a drain and fill might be required. If you can pull a sample out and shake it in a clear glass container, if it bubbles, then there is water there and a bottle of heat would be in order.
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Dennis is thinkin the same thing I am...fuel issue.
Once it dies, can you look down thru the carb(air cleaner off), pump the accelerator, and see any fuel squirting down the carb? If not, then there's your problem. Could be the pump, carb filter, or the "sock" filter in the tank. Sounds more like the sock filter, tho. It picks up crap while running, until it get stopped up, then dies. Once it dies, the suction from the pump is released, and the crap falls off.
It could also be the ign. module...another common malady...you may need to check to see if the plugs are getting fire when it dies. Sometimes, when the module gets hot, it will crap out, then once it cools, it'll work until it gets hot again.
There are a few other threads on this, with some testing info for the module. You may do a "search" in the "Engine" forums, and find one that will help.
btw...the ECM(computer) on that car really doesn't do a whole lot...it only controls the idle mixture, and timing. Being the 305, it must be a Cali car, so the fuel mixture is prolly gonna be lean to start with...
Once it dies, can you look down thru the carb(air cleaner off), pump the accelerator, and see any fuel squirting down the carb? If not, then there's your problem. Could be the pump, carb filter, or the "sock" filter in the tank. Sounds more like the sock filter, tho. It picks up crap while running, until it get stopped up, then dies. Once it dies, the suction from the pump is released, and the crap falls off.
It could also be the ign. module...another common malady...you may need to check to see if the plugs are getting fire when it dies. Sometimes, when the module gets hot, it will crap out, then once it cools, it'll work until it gets hot again.
There are a few other threads on this, with some testing info for the module. You may do a "search" in the "Engine" forums, and find one that will help.
btw...the ECM(computer) on that car really doesn't do a whole lot...it only controls the idle mixture, and timing. Being the 305, it must be a Cali car, so the fuel mixture is prolly gonna be lean to start with...
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I had that problem on my 90 Lumina. Dang car would stop on this on bridge everytime. We thought there might be some electormagnetic force in the area or the bridge was haunted. This happened 4x. Sure enough it was computer module.
I am still thinking a fuel problem with yours. Old gas does it in my snow blower everytime.
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[QUOTE=dwright]Does it still have the catalitic converter? It might be plugged.[/QUOTE]
usually with a clogged exhaust the car will idle fine but will lose all power when you are driving. just went thru that with my 90. one other thing that might do it is the coil. had a car when it got hot it would die. after cooling a bit it would start right up. just a thought.
usually with a clogged exhaust the car will idle fine but will lose all power when you are driving. just went thru that with my 90. one other thing that might do it is the coil. had a car when it got hot it would die. after cooling a bit it would start right up. just a thought.
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I had a simular problem.
MartinsVette 2007-10-29 21:26:03
Originally when I got the car it was running rough. So first things first I replaced the plugs. As I was doing so I noticed the wires were so bad that one of the plug boots had a hole in it. So I replaced the wires, cap and rotor.
My wife and I took it out for a run, switched drivers while out, got back home and she, being afraid to pull into the garage got out and as I was about to get back in, the car just stopped. I tried to turn it over and it would crank but it would not catch.
So the next day I tried the obvious, looked for spark, there was spark, looked for gas, there was gas, replaced the coil and still no go. I then spoke to a mechanic friend of mine who actually used to work on GM race cars in the US and he said he has seen some really weird problems with ignition modules, often they will heat up then the car stops. When they cool down the car will start and run for a while then stop. My car just would not start at all. I replaced the module (a 10 min job) for about $35.00 and not a hint of a problem since.
Incase you scanned down past all my rambling REPLACE THE IGNITION MODULE AND GET A SPARE
Let me know how you make out.
Martin
Ok, here's what has been done.
I have replaced the ignition module, no change.
When the car dies, pumping the pedal does have fuel inject into the carb
While pumping, the engine struggles to keep running but dies.
Engine restarts easily but quickly dies. The longer you wait, the longer it runs.
Checked the fuel filter in the card, looks clean. No metal bits, etc.
How difficult is the fuel pump change? How tough would the screen filter in the tank be to change?
And most importantly, does it still sound fuel related?
Fuel pump on an 80 sux. You will need to jack it up and pull the rt front wheel off to make it easier to get to. Hopefully you have a long bolt to stick in the front of the motor to hold the driver rod in place to keep it from coming out.
I'd wait to hear from Joel, but I really think this is more of a fuel sock issue than a pump issue. the fact that you are seeing fuel pumping in leads me to believe the pump is working, but there isn't enough fuel to get the pressure up due to crap on the sock.
I haven't done mine yet, but you need to drop the tank which involves dropping the tire carrier (2 bolts w/nuts on the hangars) and hopefully, you have the tank EMPTY. Full is heavy, but half to 1/4 full means fuel will shift from end to end and make it easy to drop. The emptier, the better.
2 straps (you can look for the elusive build sheet HA/HA on the top of the tank) held on by bolts. I'm not sure how the neck hooks up, but someone here should be able to tell you.
Good Luck!
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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