I knew when I started this that it was going to be a hellion to
describe...Let me try to be a bit more accurate, and less confusing. (try,
that is :-) )
Here's the scenario:
1) I'm driving along, at any given speed, RPM, shift point (or not shifting
at all), or acceleration rate.
2) Suddenly, there is NO power from the engine, no response when the
throttle is depressed, and the tach has dropped to zero. I can't even really
hear the engine running at all, so I go to step 3...
3) Assuming the engine has stalled entirely, because there is no response
from the throttle, I can't hear anything, and the tach is at zero, I take the
car out of gear, depress the clutch, and turn the key. The starter grinds,
as if the engine was running. Looking to my dashboard in astonishment, I see
the "ignition" light is not on, also signifying that the engine is, in fact
running.
4) I give up, and start to steer the car to the curb with the tranny in
neutral. Looking at the dash, I see that the "ignition" light is now lit.
(???) Okay...so I try to start the car now. It turns over, but doesn't
fire. Try again...same reaction. I'm thinking that the car is flooded, so I
wait a couple minutes. Turn it over...still doesn't fire. Try again...AH
HA! A sputter AFTER I quit turning the starter. Try again...it fires.
5) I go along my merry way (naively) and a couple miles down the road, it
"dies" again... return to step two.
I hope that helps some...
By the way, I checked the general wire connections, and distributor contact
points. Everything is tight, and clean as a whistle, but I still have the
same problem. Also, this challenge has gradually gotten worse, and worse,
meaning it happens more frequently each time I drive it (or drove it, as the
case stands now. I can't even get it to idle for more than two minutes now
without stalling).
Thanks for all your help and patience...
J
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