1994 Chevy Camaro dieing

Tiny
MCHANDLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
This concerns a 1994 Camero Z28 5.7 Liter Automatic. Car starts and runs great for approximately 10 to 15 min. Then you hear a thump and the engine dies, the instrument panel reads check gauges. You then must wait a minimum of 2 hours befor the car once again starts and runs great. This cycle just keeps repeating itself. If you try to start the car prior to the two + hour cooling time it just turns over and over and will not start. This seems very hard to track down because when the car is running it is running great. For a mechanic to check it out they need to be there and ready when it dies otherwise everything checks out fine.
Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 10:23 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi mchandler and TY for the donation

This cycle just keeps repeating itself. If you try to start the car prior to the two + hour cooling time it just turns over and over and will not start.

Next time it does that don't wait for nothing check it immediately to determine if fuel or sprak that's causing it. Do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
MCHANDLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I understand the testing process you have outlined. I have not performed these tests because it was hard for me to understand how any of the problems that you have outlined as possible problems (fuel or electrical) would happen at almost a perfectly timed cycle. Then would reset itself to run again after a 2 + hour wait. If it was fuel problem wouldn't the car stutter befor it died? If it is electrical (I believe it is) then why 2+ hours, the car engine is cold to the touch after 1 hour so what is resetting itself?

I have now performed the testing that you outlined. After the car has ran perfectly for 20 min it died. I then took off a spark plug wire and ground it against the fram. There was no spark. The only thing I have found that I thought was the answer was the relay/fuse for the #2 cooling fan was broken. This sounded logical to me, I thought when the fan kicked on it was shorting out something but this was not the answer. I am just trying to figure out what makes the most sence with what is happening, What would short out after 20 min and then require 2 hours to reset itself and what would be resetting?
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I've suggested something for you to do you failed to perform it in order for me to narrow it down-I cannot provide you the fire answer to your problem am not with the vehicle-request for refund and good luck
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 5:05 PM

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