When I start my truck it will run for awhile

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 1981 DODGE TRUCK
  • 64,000 MILES
When I start my truck it will run for awhile. Then after I either put it in gear or let it run for awile it will just stall out. Just wondering why that might be
Friday, March 29th, 2013 AT 2:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,778 POSTS
Losing fuel or spark.
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Friday, March 29th, 2013 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
CALEB774
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Well what might be causing this. I have also replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, distributor, and coil
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Saturday, March 30th, 2013 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Why didn't you include those details? What else have you checked and what were the results? Have you actually determined if you're losing spark when it stalls? Can you restart it right away? Can you restart it after cranking quite a bit? Will it start after sitting for five or ten minutes? Is the stalling consistent as in it happens every time you put it in drive. Does it happen in reverse too? Which engine do you have? We need to know that when discussing an engine running problem.
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Saturday, March 30th, 2013 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
CALEB774
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Not sure if im losing spark or not I dont think so though. It stalls every time I put it in gear wether its drive reverse or low. It starts back up after cranking for awhile. And I have the six cylinder 225.
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Sunday, March 31st, 2013 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
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I have that engine in two '80 Volares.

First unplug the vacuum hose from the distributor and plug it. If the engine starts and runs when you put it in gear, suspect the pickup coil inside the distributor. It sits on a plate that rotates with engine vacuum to achieve better fuel mileage and performance. That movement causes the wires to flex and eventually break.

Also, the next time it stalls, do not crank it. Remove the air cleaner lid, look down the middle of the carburetor, and see if there's a solid stream of fuel when you work the throttle by hand. If there is not, a common cause is a collapsing strainer in the fuel tank. Based on how you said it's acting though, I don't think you have a fuel problem. I suspect you're losing spark.

Also try wiggling the wiring harnesses while the engine is idling. The easiest way to determine if losing spark is the cause of the stalling is to connect an inductive pickup timing light to the coil wire and watch if it stops firing when a helper shifts into gear. You'll only have one or two seconds to notice that before the engine stops rotating.

Look at the connections on the ballast resistor on the firewall. That is used when you have the four or five-pin electronic ignition module on the firewall or fender. I think that was used too with the Lean Burn Computer bolted to the air cleaner housing. Those wires get tugged on when the engine rocks, as in when shifting into gear.
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Sunday, March 31st, 2013 AT 8:31 PM

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