Help from the experts!!

[mgbruno]

I drove my baby in to work today. its an 84 cab. Wasn't supposed to rain but it looked a little dark when I got here so I put the top up. We had a quick shower. The car started fine in the morning. Just as it always does. Anyway, went to go work out - after the brief rain shower - and the car just barely started. Drove it for 10 minutes to the gym. After 1 hour, it didn't start, so I had it jumped. Drove it for 15 minutes to try to recharge, and suddenly, lost all power and the car stalled in the middle of the road. Popped the engine lid, looked and it seemed that the throttle cable had disconnected. I never paid much attention to it, so I don't know how it was connected. I bent the wire, and got it jumped again. Started right up.
The battery is brand new. Do you think the problem with the throttle cable had some effect on the battery recharging??? Do you think it had something to do with the rain? I never drive it in the rain. But there was no water in the battery compartment or anywhere else. What do you guys think????

Mike

[TRE Cup]

Given that the interior is nice and dry with no leaks; sometimes on dme cars, the increase in humidity shows up problems in the secondary stage of the ignition. Basically if you have a marginal plug wire (s) condition or cap/rotor condition, the car may run like a champ in the dry and cause running problems when wet. You will also want to check the ground connections on the intake manifold - driver side, to make sure they are very clean and tight (you'll have to unfasten them to do this- common tools can be used)

[mgbruno]

Thanks much for the advice. I'm clueless about this stuff so you'll have to excuse my questions. Plug wires were recently replaced as was the cap/rotor. So, that's not it. Now the intake manifold??? Help? Would you by chance have a pic of what I need to do. Again, clueless jarhead here! Sorry. And what about the sudden complete loss of power???

[TRE Cup]

The driver side of the engine compartment forward you will see a clump of brown wires bolted to the intake manifold. Unfasten, clean with emery cloth or fine sandpaper, then refasten and tighten.
If that does not do it and the spark plug wires/cap/rotor were recently replaced, next place to look is the dme relay under the driver seat and the cylinder head temp sensor.
The dme relay is inexpensive enough and easy enough to access- while the head sensor is not.
Our host sells both
Either will give you the symptoms you describe

[mgbruno]

Thanks much TRE
I'll do that. I broke down 4 times on the freeway last evening. Ugghhhh! Its the alternator. Well at least I know now. I'm still gonna do as you suggest. Additionally gonna get a new relay and a spare from our host. Me not want to be in this situation again!