Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] strange automotive electrical problem

From: Jim Franklin <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2026 09:05:10 -0700

--===============1302115958859085511==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

--Apple-Mail-95E8CF97-3973-4665-9ACF-23696373C081
	charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html class=3D"apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equi=
v=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body dir=3D=
"auto"><div dir=3D"ltr"></div><div dir=3D"ltr">A short would have been my gu=
ess too. Or, is there any engine management device that=E2=80=99s sensitive t=
o voltage and may power off at a stupidly high voltage like 11.5?</div><div d=
ir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Jim</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br><blockqu=
ote type=3D"cite">On May 20, 2026, at 2:18=E2=80=AFAM, Douglas Shook &lt;dir=
[email-masked]&gt; wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type=3D"ci=
te"><div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" s=
tyle=3D"font-size:small">As you know, intermittent&nbsp;electrical problems a=
re some of the most difficult to track down.</div><div class=3D"gmail_defaul=
t" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D=
"font-size:small">About your only course of action is when it happens, try t=
o monitor/measure all possible factors before you restart.&nbsp;</div><div c=
lass=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gma=
il_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Do any of the gauges or indicator&nbsp=
;lights indicate any problem when it occurs? Any audible clicks or pops? Doe=
s it only happen when it is hot outside, cold outside, wet outside, etc. Try=
ing to find any common factor for the moment when the failure occurs could h=
elp you start to track it down.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"f=
ont-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:sm=
all">I know it seems unlikely, but if turning the ignition switch seems to s=
olve the problem, it could be the ignition switch (I have had two ignition s=
witches fail intermittently, so I am attentive to that possibility).</div><d=
iv class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D=
"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">You almost have to hope that whate=
ver it is that fails briefly will fail permanently&nbsp;so that you can trac=
k 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">If it always occ=
urred when you hit a bump (electrical connection) or after the engine had be=
en running for an hour or so (overheated component), etc., you could start t=
o track things down, but it seems totally random.</div></div><br><div class=3D=
"gmail_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 &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:jnio=
[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gm=
ail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,2=
04,204);padding-left:1ex">

<div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Hey Moose, thanks for the reply.&nbsp; Harness w=
as done by a pro that does it for a living...He is meticulous.&nbsp; He comp=
letely strips everything</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">from the car then starts from a blank slate... E=
verything new.. Nice looms and grommets at every hole and hides as much of i=
t as he can.</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI"></font>&nbsp;</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Every component was new and oem or better... no=
 import crap.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm of the same opinion as you afa a short to grou=
nd 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>&nbsp;</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">Someone on my ford forum suggested putting a vo=
lt meter in the circuit and watch the voltage for a drop...but you're so bus=
y trying to get out of traffic and not</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">get plowed it's difficult to remember to watch t=
he meter....&nbsp;&nbsp; and yes this has been going on for over a year...in=
termittently and even after all the changes... it persists</font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI"></font>&nbsp;</div>
<div><font face=3D"Segoe UI">john</font></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<blockquote style=3D"padding:0px 0px 0px 0.5em;border-left:1px solid rgb(199=
,229,255);margin:0px 0px 0px 0.5em">
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>----- Original Message -----</b></div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>From:</b> &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">=
[email-masked]</a>&gt;</div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>To:</b> shop-talk &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" tar=
get=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt;</div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>Cc:</b> john niolon &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"=
_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt;</div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>Sent:</b> 05/19/2026 4:40:59 PM</div>
<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Shop-talk] strange automotive electrical problem</d=
iv>
<hr style=3D"border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor=
;height:1px;color:rgb(204,204,204);background-color:rgb(204,204,204)">

<div style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;;font-weight:no=
rmal;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:normal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-=
family:sans-serif">John, I would have bet money it was a hidden wire short s=
omewhere. It had all the Hallmarks.&nbsp; But you stated the wiring harness w=
hat completely replaced. So, that rules that out...</span> <br><br><span sty=
le=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Or does it?</span> <br><br><spa=
n style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">My question, when you said=
 'headlight to taillight', that is complete.&nbsp; BUT was there ANY wire th=
at was in that car that wasn't part of the harness?</span> <br><br><span sty=
le=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">Something in dash, neutral swit=
ch, tranny indicator, or some other component?</span> <br><br><span style=3D=
"font-size:10pt;font-family:sans-serif">I'm still betting on a wire short, b=
ut I guess it could be a short inside a component.&nbsp; Maybe inside the al=
t or other part?</span> <br><br><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:sa=
ns-serif">BTW, I'm assuming it was doing 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;fo=
nt-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: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &=
nbsp;</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">"john niolo=
n" &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]<=
/a>&gt;</span> <br><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif;color=
:rgb(95,95,95)">To: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style=3D"font-si=
ze:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">"shop-talk" &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:shop-talk@a=
utox.team.net" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt;</span> <br=
><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Da=
te: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-fami=
ly:sans-serif">05/19/2026 13:16</span> <br><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font=
-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Subject: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;=
</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;fo=
nt-family:sans-serif;color:rgb(95,95,95)">Sent by: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbs=
p;</span><span style=3D"font-size:9pt;font-family:sans-serif">"Shop-talk" &l=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">shop=
[email-masked]</a>&gt;</span> <br>
<hr noshade=3D"">
<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 with=
=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 swi=
tch 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>&nbsp;</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.&nb=
sp; Cruises nicely.</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;=
font-family:Calibri"></span>&nbsp;</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 you c=
ut 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 doe=
s it.&nbsp; 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 once=
 and not repeat.&nbsp; 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 &nbsp;does it h=
ot or cold. With the a/c on or off.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Longest period with n=
o 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>&nbsp;</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 o=
f 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.&nbsp; So fa=
r 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>&nbsp;</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 al=
l 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/c=
hassis 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</spa=
n></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 imp=
ort 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 spar=
k 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.&nbsp; It's doing the=
 same &nbsp;thing 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 t=
aillight 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 &nbsp;we 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>&nbsp;</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 welcome=
d=E2=80=A6 &nbsp; </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>&nbsp;</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">&nbsp;</span><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">_______=
________________________________________<br><br><a href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@=
autox.team.net" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a><br>Donate: </=
span></tt><a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html" target=3D"_blank"><tt>=
<span style=3D"font-size:10pt">http://www.team.net/donate.html</span></tt></=
a><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"><br>Suggested annual donation &nbsp;$12=
.96<br>Archive: </span></tt><a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-ta=
lk" target=3D"_blank"><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">http://www.team.net=
/pipermail/shop-talk</span></tt></a><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"> </sp=
an></tt><a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" target=3D"_blank"><tt><spa=
n style=3D"font-size:10pt">http://autox.team.net/archive</span></tt></a><tt>=
<span style=3D"font-size:10pt"><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: </span></tt><a hr=
ef=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]" tar=
get=3D"_blank"><tt><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">http://autox.team.net/mail=
man/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</span></tt></a><tt><span style=3D"fo=
nt-size:10pt"><br><br></span></tt></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"></p>
<p style=3D"margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"></p></div></blockquote></div>_=
______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@auto=
x.team.net</a><br>
t=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"noreferr=
er" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=3D=
"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://=
autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
lk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.te=
am.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>
<span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span></span=
><br><span>[email-masked]</span><br><span>Donate: http://www.team.=
net/donate.html</span><br><span>Suggested annual donation &nbsp;$12.96</span=
><br><span>Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.tea=
m.net/archive</span><br><span></span><br><span>Unsubscribe/Manage: http://au=
tox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</span><br><spa=
n></span><br></div></blockquote></body></html>=

--Apple-Mail-95E8CF97-3973-4665-9ACF-23696373C081--

--===============1302115958859085511==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

_______________________________________________

[email-masked]
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

--===============1302115958859085511==--