--===============6536135413891742209==
--000000000000ce785c06523beea5
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
As you know, intermittent electrical problems are some of the most
difficult to track down.
About your only course of action is when it happens, try to monitor/measure
all possible factors before you restart.
Do any of the gauges or indicator lights indicate any problem when it
occurs? Any audible clicks or pops? Does it only happen when it is hot
outside, cold outside, wet outside, etc. Trying to find any common factor
for the moment when the failure occurs could help you start to track it
down.
I know it seems unlikely, but if turning the ignition switch seems to solve
the problem, it could be the ignition switch (I have had two ignition
switches fail intermittently, so I am attentive to that possibility).
You almost have to hope that whatever it is that fails briefly will fail
permanently so that you can track it down.
If it always occurred when you hit a bump (electrical connection) or after
the engine had been running for an hour or so (overheated component), etc.,
you could start to track things down, but it seems totally random.
On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53=E2=80=AFAM john niolon <jniolon@att.net> wrote=
:
> Hey Moose, thanks for the reply. Harness was done by a pro that does it
> for a living...He is meticulous. He completely strips everything
> from the car then starts from a blank slate... Everything new.. Nice loom=
s
> and grommets at every hole and hides as much of it as he can.
>
> Every component was new and oem or better... no import crap. I'm of the
> same opinion as you afa a short to ground but it's gotta be hidden inside
> something
> that we can't see.
>
> Someone on my ford forum suggested putting a volt meter in the circuit an=
d
> watch the voltage for a drop...but you're so busy trying to get out of
> traffic and not
> get plowed it's difficult to remember to watch the meter.... and yes
> this has been going on for over a year...intermittently and even after al=
l
> the changes... it persists
>
> john
>
>
> *----- Original Message -----*
> *From:* <eric@megageek.com>
> *To:* shop-talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
> *Cc:* john niolon <jniolon@att.net>
> *Sent:* 05/19/2026 4:40:59 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Shop-talk] strange automotive electrical problem
> ------------------------------
> John, I would have bet money it was a hidden wire short somewhere. It had
> all the Hallmarks. But you stated the wiring harness what completely
> replaced. So, that rules that out...
>
> Or does it?
>
> My question, when you said 'headlight to taillight', that is complete.
> BUT was there ANY wire that was in that car that wasn't part of the harne=
ss?
>
> Something in dash, neutral switch, tranny indicator, or some other
> component?
>
> I'm still betting on a wire short, but I guess it could be a short inside
> a component. Maybe inside the alt or other part?
>
> BTW, I'm assuming it was doing this, before you did all these mods, right=
?
>
> Anyway, that is a stumper.
>
> Moose
>
>
>
> From: "john niolon" <jniolon@att.net>
> To: "shop-talk" <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
> Date: 05/19/2026 13:16
> Subject: [Shop-talk] strange automotive electrical problem
> Sent by: "Shop-talk" <shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net>
> ------------------------------
>
>
> Strange automotive electrical problem we need help with=E2=80=A6
>
> 55 chevy automatic with 383 stroker motor, carbed, p/s,p/b,a/c
>
> Dakota digital dash system including neutral safety switch and
>
> Transmission gear indicator
>
>
>
> When it is running right, it=E2=80=99s scary strong. Cruises nicely.
>
>
>
> Problem=E2=80=A6 when driving the engine dies like you cut it off=E2=80=
=A6BUT will start
> back up
>
> Immediately and run perfectly till the next time it does it. Might be 15
> minutes=E2=80=A615 days or
>
> three month later. Might do it 4 times in a row or once and not repeat.
> Speed does not effect it.
>
> Engine temp does not effect it=E2=80=A6 does it hot or cold. With the a/=
c on or
> off. It does not have a
>
> Cutoff switch in the system. Longest period with no failure is 7 months=
=E2=80=A6
> shortest was 4 minutes.
>
>
>
> When it stalls we checked fuel by looking in the bowl of carb and gas is
> spraying as it should
>
> So we are assuming electrical of some sort. So far we=E2=80=99ve done th=
e
> following=E2=80=A6
>
>
>
> Replaced battery with new red top optima battery and all new battery
> cables (2 gauge I think)
>
> Replaced all ground cables frame/block=E2=80=A6 frame/chassis with 2/0 we=
lding
> cable with new crimped
>
> connectors and clean, bare metal attachment points
>
> replaced ignition switch (twice=E2=80=A6 first with import then with oem =
switch)
>
> replaced coil and distributor with MSD system with spark control box,
> separate coil and distributor=E2=80=A6
>
> it was taken from running vehicle. It's doing the same thing as the
> original ignition system.
>
> Replaced complete wiring harness=E2=80=A6headlight to taillight with new =
Autowire
> harness=E2=80=A6including all
>
> Switches and relays. Professionally done.
>
> Everything else electrical works without a glitch=E2=80=A6 we are at the=
wall
> here=E2=80=A6
>
>
>
> Ideas, suggestions, calculated wild a** guesses welcomed=E2=80=A6
>
> thanks
>
>
>
> john
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
> http://autox.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/eric@megageek.com
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk
> http://autox.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/dirtbeard@gmail.com
>
>
--000000000000ce785c06523beea5
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">As =
you know, intermittent=C2=A0electrical problems are some of the most diffic=
ult to track down.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:sma=
ll"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">About =
your only course of action is when it happens, try to monitor/measure all p=
ossible factors before you restart.=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default"=
style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"=
font-size:small">Do any of the gauges or indicator=C2=A0lights indicate any=
problem when it occurs? Any audible clicks or pops? Does it only happen wh=
en it is hot outside, cold outside, wet outside, etc. Trying to find any co=
mmon factor for the moment when the failure occurs could help you start to =
track it down.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">=
<br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I know it =
seems unlikely, but if turning the ignition switch seems to solve the probl=
em, it could be the ignition switch (I have had two ignition switches fail =
intermittently, so I am attentive to that possibility).</div><div class=3D"=
gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_defa=
ult" style=3D"font-size:small">You almost have to hope that whatever it is =
that fails briefly will fail permanently=C2=A0so that you can track it down=
.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><di=
v class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">If it always occurred w=
hen you hit a bump (electrical connection) or after the engine had been run=
ning for an hour or so (overheated component), etc., you could start to tra=
ck things down, but it seems totally random.</div></div><br><div class=3D"g=
mail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On =
Wed, May 20, 2026 at 1:53=E2=80=AFAM john niolon <<a href=3D"mailto:jnio=
lon@att.net">jniolon@att.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"g=
mail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204=
,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Hey Moose, thanks for the reply.=C2=A0 Harness=
was done by a pro that does it for a living...He is meticulous.=C2=A0 He c=
ompletely strips everything</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">from the car then starts from a blank slate...=
Everything new.. Nice looms and grommets at every hole and hides as much o=
f it as he can.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI"></font>=C2=A0</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Every component was new and oem or better... n=
o import crap.=C2=A0=C2=A0 I'm of the same opinion as you afa a short t=
o ground but it's gotta be hidden inside something</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">that we can't see.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI"></font>=C2=A0</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Someone on my ford forum suggested putting a v=
olt meter in the circuit and watch the voltage for a drop...but you're =
so busy trying to get out of traffic and not</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">get plowed it's difficult to remember to w=
atch the meter....=C2=A0=C2=A0 and yes this has been going on for over a ye=
ar...intermittently and even after all the changes... it persists</font></d=
iv>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI"></font>=C2=A0</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">john</font></div>
<div>=C2=A0</div>
<blockquote style=3D"padding:0px 0px 0px 0.5em;border-left:1px solid rgb(19=
9,229,255);margin:0px 0px 0px 0.5em">
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>----- Original Message -----</b></div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>From:</b> <<a href=3D"mailto:eric@megageek.com"; target=3D"_blank=
">eric@megageek.com</a>></div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>To:</b> shop-talk <<a href=3D"mailto:shop-talk@autox.team.net"; t=
arget=3D"_blank">shop-talk@autox.team.net</a>></div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>Cc:</b> john niolon <<a href=3D"mailto:jniolon@att.net"; target=
=3D"_blank">jniolon@att.net</a>></div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>Sent:</b> 05/19/2026 4:40:59 PM</div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Shop-talk] strange automotive electrical problem<=
/div>
<hr style=3D"border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolo=
r;height:1px;color:rgb(204,204,204);background-color:rgb(204,204,204)">
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:"Segoe UI";font-weight:n=
ormal;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:normal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;fon=
t-family:sans-serif">John, I would have bet money it was a hidden wire shor=
t somewhere. It had all the Hallmarks.=C2=A0 But you stated the wiring harn=
ess what completely replaced. So, that rules that out...</span> <br><br><sp=
an style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Or does it?</span> <br><=
br><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">My question, when =
you said 'headlight to taillight', that is complete.=C2=A0 BUT was =
there ANY wire that was in that car that wasn't part of the harness?</s=
pan> <br><br><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Somethin=
g in dash, neutral switch, tranny indicator, or some other component?</span=
> <br><br><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">I'm sti=
ll betting on a wire short, but I guess it could be a short inside a compon=
ent.=C2=A0 Maybe inside the alt or other part?</span> <br><br><span style=
=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">BTW, I'm assuming it was doi=
ng this, before you did all these mods, right? </span><br><br><span style=
=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Anyway, that is a stumper.</span=
> <br><br><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Moose</span=
> <br><br><br><br><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif;color=
:rgb(95,95,95)">From: =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0</span><span style=3D"font=
-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">"john niolon" <<a href=3D"ma=
ilto:jniolon@att.net" target=3D"_blank">jniolon@att.net</a>></span> <br>=
<span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">To=
: =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-famil=
y:sans-serif">"shop-talk" <<a href=3D"mailto:shop-talk@autox.t=
eam.net" target=3D"_blank">shop-talk@autox.team.net</a>></span> <br><spa=
n style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Date: =
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:=
sans-serif">05/19/2026 13:16</span> <br><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-f=
amily:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Subject: =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0<=
/span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">[Shop-talk] stra=
nge automotive electrical problem</span> <br><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;f=
ont-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Sent by: =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =
=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">"Sho=
p-talk" <<a href=3D"mailto:shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net"; target=
=3D"_blank">shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net</a>></span> <br>
<hr noshade>
<br><br>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Strange automotive electrical problem we need help wi=
th=E2=80=A6</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">55 chevy automatic with 383 stroker motor, carbed, p/=
s,p/b,a/c</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Dakota digital dash system including neutral safety s=
witch and</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Transmission gear indicator</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">When it is running right, it=E2=80=99s scary strong.=
=C2=A0 Cruises nicely.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Problem=E2=80=A6 when driving the engine dies like yo=
u cut it off=E2=80=A6BUT will start back up</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Immediately and run perfectly till the next time it d=
oes it.=C2=A0 Might be 15 minutes=E2=80=A615 days or</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">three month later. Might do it 4 times in a row or on=
ce and not repeat.=C2=A0 Speed does not effect it. </span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Engine temp does not effect it=E2=80=A6 =C2=A0does it=
hot or cold. With the a/c on or off.=C2=A0 It does not have a</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Cutoff switch in the system.=C2=A0 Longest period wit=
h no failure is 7 months=E2=80=A6 shortest was 4 minutes.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">When it stalls we checked fuel by looking in the bowl=
of carb and gas is spraying as it should</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">So we are assuming electrical of some sort.=C2=A0 So =
far we=E2=80=99ve done the following=E2=80=A6</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Replaced battery with new red top optima battery and =
all new battery cables (2 gauge I think)</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Replaced all ground cables frame/block=E2=80=A6 frame=
/chassis with 2/0 welding cable with new crimped</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">connectors and clean, bare metal attachment points</s=
pan></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">replaced ignition switch (twice=E2=80=A6 first with i=
mport then with oem switch)</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">replaced coil and distributor with MSD system with sp=
ark control box, separate coil and distributor=E2=80=A6</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">it was taken from running vehicle.=C2=A0 It's doi=
ng the same =C2=A0thing as the original ignition system.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Replaced complete wiring harness=E2=80=A6headlight to=
taillight with new Autowire harness=E2=80=A6including all</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Switches and relays. Professionally done.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Everything else electrical works without a glitch=E2=
=80=A6 =C2=A0we are at the wall here=E2=80=A6</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">Ideas, suggestions, calculated wild a** guesses welco=
med=E2=80=A6 =C2=A0 </span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">thanks</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
"></span>=C2=A0</p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">john</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt=
;font-family:Calibri">=C2=A0</span><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">_____=
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lk@autox.team.net" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@autox.team.net</a><br>Donate=
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<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"></p></div></blockquote></div>=
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