Shuts off while Idling?

Tiny
79ELCO5SPEED
  • MEMBER
  • 1979 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1 MILES
Engine was idling and it shut off it was third the 3rd time it has happened. All 3 times I was standing outside of the car while it was idling, never shut off while driving it. All 3 times plenty of power to turn engine over but would not fire.
first time it shut off, I noticed distributor was loose and it had moved, I put it back and tightened the hold down, and it fired right up, was fine for a couple months only drove it a couple times, 2nd time; I decided to replace distributor, installed new distributor and it fired right up again was fine for a couple months again only drove a couple times again, 3rd time It shut off again as it was sitting there idling, all 3 times I tried priming not knowing if it was a fuel issue, but it wasn't, has plenty of power turns over really well but will not fire, It has a new; (alternator)generator, new pro torque starter (3rd starter), also; each time I have driven car, or just let it run, after the engine reaches operating temperature starter drags and hesitates like power to it is fluctuating? Happened with all 3 starters, no visible issues with any wires anywhere that I can see, I did add a factory Tachometer in place of the clock recently, including factory filter mounted on firewall. I only own a test light, no test meter, it almost seems as though it may be something to do with Distributor. Battery term wire? Could that be? Is there a fusible link on that wire? There is a fuse link near the starter, I just put car on jackstands again, was going to check it! Your help is greatly appreciated.
Friday, November 29th, 2024 AT 7:46 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,038 POSTS
It sounds like the ignition coil or ignition switch is bad, with the test light connecting one end to ground and when the engine stalls check the positive side of the coil for power. also, you can check for spark as well to confirm the ignition system is causing the issue. This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t=1s

Test the large pink wire going into the distributor which powers the coil. Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Friday, November 29th, 2024 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
79ELCO5SPEED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
There is power in that pink wire to the BATT terminal on HEI coil.
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Saturday, November 30th, 2024 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,038 POSTS
Okay, now can you check for spark? This video can help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t

If you have power but no spark the distributor is defective.
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Saturday, November 30th, 2024 AT 11:39 AM

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