3.2 just dies... Need help!

[Jeroen]

Hi,

I got hit in a parking lot just behind the driversside rearwheel a little while back. Nothing serious and the bodywork has already been repaired.

Ever since this incident though, the car just out of the blue dies on me (before the hit the car ran flawless).

I've replaced the DME-relay but that's not it.

Sometimes the car will run without problems, and then for no apparent reason, it cuts the ignition.

Some times I can start her up again, and sometimes I can't...

I fear an electrical problem in the ingnition (I hate electric stuff!)

Any ideas where to look first? All hints and pointers are welcome!

TIA,

Jeroen
(I always have car trouble when my mechanic is on vacation)

[North Coast Cab]

I'm not expert but...
When it dies is the electrical system still on?
If yes, it would be a fuel issue.
If no, it would be an electrical issue.
Pinning that down would be a big first step. From there it could go in a lot of directions.

JG

[Jeroen]

Nope, it's just the ignition. All other electrical stuff still works
It's not the fuel system. I can smell fuel from the exhaust when I'm trying to start

Cheers,

Jeroen

[Stuttgart951]

WUR?

[ChrisBennet]

Because it is easy, I would check the 3 plugs just to the left of the blower that sits on top of the motor. You may want to remove theplastic heater tube to get better access. Make sure the plugs are seated well.
-Chris

[Jeroen]

None of the sparks are firing (or all of them)
When it quits, it's like you just turn off your ignition.
It doesn't stuble or sputter, it just dies completely

Already installed an new dist.cap and the plugwires were replaced not too long ago

cheers,

Jeroen

[Jeroen]

Oh, I think I forgot to mention... this is on a '87 3.2

cheers,

Jeroen

[Kurt B]

I had a similar problem where the car would just cut out out of nowhere, and it turned out to be the main coil wire. The ends are screwed on, and it became unscrewed. It was random, like yours. A bump or something, and it would lose it...

[Jeroen]

Kurt,

I checked the wires on the coil... They're tight and no signs of corrosion

If the coil itself is bad, will it just stop working or can it 'cause this kind of trouble?

cheers,

Jeroen

[88911coupe]

This is out of left field but is it possible your DME computer has jarred a solder loose? I had similar problems on mine and found (thanks to this board) nearly invisible fractures in the solder joints inside me DME (NOT the relay). I fixed it and the car runs perfectly now. Do a search for solder and DME and you'll find the explanations. Good luck.

[Dutchie]

Jeroen we can swap the DME with my car if you want. I don,t think that,s it but let me know if you want to try.

[Jeroen]

Hey Ed,

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind

I'll try measuring the flywheel sensors and the cilinderheadtemp sensor and coil first

cheers,

Jeroen