[DeTomaso] Engine dies

[David & Marilyn Bell]

I'd say it's not the spark plug wires as they could cause misfires but the
engine wouldn't go completely dead instantly.  Likewise coils don't usually
turn on/off.  The backfires after loosing power are probably more symptoms
of the spark stopping briefly while the gas doesn't.  Then the spark comes
back on and ignites all the collected gasoline.  I actually used to do that
intentionally when I was in high school to blow out the mufflers of my dad's
pickup - turn off the ignition for a couple of seconds while cruising down
the highway then BAMM!  Major explosion.  My dad never could figure out why
the mufflers didn't last.

Oops, back on subject - since the engine seems to run normally after coming
back on, then it should not be the shear pin in the distributor gear as the
timing would stay out of whack and the engine would run like crap.  My
money's on the optical sensor in the distributor.


Dave Bell

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On
Behalf Of Garth Rodericks
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 7:58 PM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Engine dies

I need a little help from the collective expertise on this list diagnosing
why my engine mysteriously stops running.

  The problem first occured about 2-3 days ago.
  I started the car and began down my street, but the engine just died as I
let out the clutch
  as if the key had been turned off. However the key was still on and all
systems had power. I
  merely turned off the ignition switch and restarted the car and continued
on my way. It did
  this several times over the last 2-3 days, sometimes dying while idling
(also as if the key
  had been turned off). Each time I would restart the car and continue on my
way.

  Today it wouldn't restart; just cranked over and over. All electrical
connections are tight and
  secure, but no spark. After about 10 minutes it started. Then while
driving home on the
  freeway it seemed to lose power for a second then had a loud "BANG" from
under the car as
  if unspent gas was discharged to the mufflers then exploded and the car
continued to run. It
  did this twice.

  So, what is the collective wisdom of the list?  Where should I start?
Whats the most likely
  culprit?  My 1year old MSD Blaster 2 coil?  My Mallory Unilite optical
module? My 2 year
  old MSD ignition wires?  Any and all suggestions welcome.

  Thanks!
  Garth


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