Engine cuts out

Tiny
AWGEEZ911
  • MEMBER
  • 1975 JEEP CJ5
  • 0.6L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 10,000 MILES
She starts and runs fine except when I’m driving along she cuts out and loses all power, if I downshift into second and pop the clutch I get nothing at all, but if I turn the ignition key off and then turn it back on she starts right up.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 11:54 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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New wiring harness installed 3 years ago, looks like the distributor was updated, has MAN on the side. I’ll try to upload a picture.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2021 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Just to clarify the issue. When you say you loose all power, I assume you just mean the engine cuts off? Or do you lose electrical power as well?

I am pretty sure this is an ignition issue but we need to find out if this happens under acceleration or just cruising?

Next we need to not cycle the key and check for spark when it just cranks. Basically if turning the ignition off and back on gets it to start, we want to track down what is preventing the spark and more than likely we have a relay or solenoid issue but let's go through this and find out what comes back.

Thanks
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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First off I want to say thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.
When the engine cuts off I’m assuming I lose electrical power because if I downshift into second and pop the clutch I get nothing. I would say it cuts out at low speeds like going around a corner.
I’ll try and get it to cut out in the next day or two and then turn the key to start without cycling it off and see if I get any spark.
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. So I understand fully. When the engine cuts out, you pop the clutch and it doesn't come back on. That points to the fact that the distributor has no power.

However, if you turn the key off and then back on it start right up? If this is the case, it may just be an ignition switch or pickup in the distributor.

If it were me, at this point I would just replace the distributor. I think you can find CJ distributors for less then a $100.00 so it is not a large investment.

Jeep looks good. Thanks for adding that.
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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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I ordered a new ignition switch a year ago, it’s been out of stock due to COVID, suppose to be in the end of this month. It’s a large weird looking switch with a bulbis extension hanging underneath it, looks kinda like an alien spaceship. I will take your suggestion and replace the distributor. I’ll let you know how I make out. Thanks and have a nice 4th of July weekend.
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Friday, July 2nd, 2021 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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You as well. Yes. Please keep us updated as I am curious how this works out. Thanks for the update.
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Friday, July 2nd, 2021 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Hi KaseKenny, put the new ignition switch in the Jeep and took her for a spin and she’s still cutting out. I did try what you suggested and turned the key on without turning it off first and she started right up. Any thoughts? I haven’t put a new distributor in yet.
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Sounds like the ignition is dropping out which would be a distributor issue. If it were me I would swap that out and retest it.

However, I am going to ask another expert to jump in on this as well. His screen name is actually CJ Medevac. He owns at least one of these but I am sure he will have some valuable incite on this if I am taking you down the wrong path.

Feel free to respond or wait for him to jump in. I have not seen him on here recently so it may take a day to get a hold of him. Thanks
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Hey!

This may not matter if stuff has changed.

Is this a V-6?

Or is it a 232 (3.8L) Inline 6

or a 258 (4.2 L) Inline 6?

How long will it run before it cuts out?

Does it shut off or spit and sputter first?

Does it have points or electronic ignition? There may be several types.

I'm sending 2 common types (pics) Can you verify which one you might have?

Sometimes they hide under the hood.

Can you name anything else that may be new under there?

Lastly, has it ever run perfectly for a long time for you?

The Medic
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Thanks KaseKenny, and hello CJMedivac, the engine is a 4.2 L inline 6. I ran her yesterday and she cut out after 3/4 minutes, it seems to do both, sometimes she just shuts off and other times she spits and sputters and the shuts off. In either case one turn of the key and she starts right up. She has points, included picture of distributor. Of the two pictures you sent she has the gold one. Also included picture. New wiring harness 3 years ago, new ignition switch, new coil, new alternator. I purchased the Jeep in 2015 and it’s never run perfectly, always had the problem with it cutting out. Thanks for your help, look forward to your reply. Go Army
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 AT 12:22 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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I will get back soon, I have a situation happening!

You do not have points----you have Prestolite ignition.

For right now---crank it up

Jiggle (not manhandle) your wires. Duplicate bouncing down the road. Not yanking and snatching. Even simulate "Pulling Gs" in left and right turns. Sometimes a wire may be melted or skinned and grounding out on metal.

Be gentle!

The wires coming out of a Prestolite distributor are two small solid copper wires. Tied down (helps) or not, I've seen them break and continue to have intermittent contact. Don't stop there!

Jiggle methodically everywhere, not in a race! If the engine sputters or shuts off make a note of where you jiggled!

Be aware that some of those pesky moving parts under the hood are out to get you. Be careful!

I had multiple problems with my '77s Prestolite, I finally upgraded to Duraspark (Motorcraft) which came out in 1979 in CJs, I have not had any issues since (other Jeeps I had were Motorcraft, So I knew how much better it is)

I guess my upgrade ran about $100.00, we can discuss that more in depth if its needed, Here's a link to sorta look over, yours could be slightly different. I'm not saying you must do this!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/prestolite-to-motorcraft-conversion-1976-cj7

Find something? Let me know, I may have a better way to attack it.

The Medic
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Thanks, I’ll give it a go tomorrow.
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Hi Med, jently jiggled and moved the wires, noticed a crack in one of the two wires coming from the distributor but when I played with that wire it had no effect on how she ran. However when I played with the wires coming out of the ignition module she cut out. Narrowed it down to the black rubber connection for the ground wire. Seems like it’s just a push together connection with no positive locking mechanism. So I pushed it together as best I could and wrapped some electrical tape around it. We are having thunderstorms right now, as soon as they pass I’ll take her for a spin.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Just took her for a 10 minute ride in between thunderstorms and she ran fine! No problems! I’ll go for a longer ride tomorrow.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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  • 11,004 POSTS
Lets fish a small "zip tie" around the 2 connector halves. Sorta part the wires if possible and and go between them
to get all centered up pulled tight.

Please send a pic of exactly the loose connection so that I may verify the best fix I can come up with.

I hope you found it by jiggling!

(would you have tried this on your own?)

When folks get lost or fed up, it goes to the shop. This $5.00 to $10.00 fix may have turned into a $250.00 greedy repair. And still you would not have a clue on how to DIY your repair.

With our Jeeps being as young as they are, any connections you undo or even the fuse ends, with a 1/4 inch or so artist's paint brush, it's a good idea to coat the terminals with some "Dielectric Grease" to protect the connection. (No need in gobbing it on!)

A really good place to protect is the connecters (both the connector and the switch too) to the floor dimmer switch!
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 2:55 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Great job AWGEEZ.

Do I get credit for the assist since I asked CJ to take a look?

Guess not.

Thanks a ton Medic.

We may have found that without your help but it would be days from now, multiple parts replaced and more then likely it would have been found on accident when he was replacing something I told him to replace.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Please come back in the future and when I see you post something, I will send it directly to Medic.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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First off both you guys are terrific, I totally appreciate the help you have offered. And yes, Medi I did find the loose connection by gently jiggling the wires. Hard to believe that the problem was just a loose ground wire connection. Would you guys mind if I run one more issue by you?
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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If it's unrelated to this one, might start a new question.

Glad you're running now!

Now that you are on the road and women are gawking at your Jeep, sorry, you must deal with it on a one on one basis. Each encounter may be different and like the rest of us, you are on your own!

Pic is every daily driver I've had since 1981

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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KASEKENNY1,

Thanks for alerting me!

Pure enjoyment and satisfaction answering this!

There was no computer, no "Locking on their own doors", no scanner needed, no metric tools needed.

I like it!

It's hard to find CJ fixes (or older carbureted) rigs that an older feller like me can legitimately answer. New cars, Bah-Humbug!

Keep me in mind If I miss a Jeep. Give me a holler!

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
AWGEEZ911
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Hi Med, took the Jeep for a couple of more runs and no problems, thank you. I included a picture of the ground wire connection that was lose.
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2021 AT 9:01 AM

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