911SC Engine quits after a minute

Anyone know about this?
My '78 SC has developed a unique problem. After running about 1 minute the motor quits and won't restart. Its getting spark. And I presume it gets fuel too, since after I let it set the motor will fire back up, but after a minute it quits again. After lsitting overnight it will run for about three or four minutes.

The first time this happened the engine was operating at normal tempature. But is also happens when the engine is cold.

To further frustrate the situation,I noticed that the emergency brake light also stays on, after the brake is released, during the times the motor stops running.

Anyone know what might be wrong?

have you done a fuel pressure test yet? this will tell you alot about the fuel system. also check your ignition connections, coil output. 81'SC

You may have a clogged fuel filter. After the car sits for a few minutes the clog may settle out allowing a restart. How old is your filter? If you don't own a fuel pressure test rig (available inexpensively from JC Whitney if you're interested), you might try pulling an injector, turning the ignition switch to the on position (Don't start the car), and then reaching up under the CIS fuel distributor air sensor plate and pushing it up gently. This will fool the system into delivering fuel to the injectors. You will know right away if fuel is making it to the injectors or not. Don't spray for too long as you will flood the other cylinders.

I checked the ignition system. Plugs are getting spark, the coil is gettting spark.

I also installed a new fuel filter so that it not the problem. However, the troubling symptom is the emergency brake light on the dash that lights up every time the motor stops running. Do you have any suggestions as to the electrical wiring which relates to the emergency brake indicator light and the fuel system?

[This message has been edited by pbs911 (edited 10-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by pbs911 (edited 10-15-2000).]

hey pbs...I will probably pick up the tools this Thurs..planning to stop by Pelican

I had the same problem with my 82SC,

After a service my guys were trying to adjust the fuel mixture, but my car would keep changing it, the car would fire up, then the idles would rise, die down, then quit...never looked at the E-brake light though...

So my mech takes apart the whole fuel pump system to see if anything is wrong, finds nothing, puts it back together...voila!!! the car is perfect...

AndI am going on 3 months with no hint of the probelem...Very strange....you can call him, he is at Callas Rennsport in Torrance, CA

But I think he is very puzzled and still does not know what happened.

Fuel pump. Go with your first instincts because I knew that had to be the problem. My girlfriend told me about the emergency brake light. No daa. The light goes on when the engine is not running because the alternator is not charging the battery. That will teach me to listen to a completely inept indivudal for facts to resolve the situation.
Nonethess, I took it to a shop and after testing it turns out the fuel pump is slowly going bad. I must say, EconoMotors in Costa Mesa, CA did a fantasic job. Reasonable and even replaced the little rubbers that rasise the truke when I pull the cable. (Free) Thanks for your advise.

I know this sounds kind of daft - but check your battery.

I have heard of 911SC's and 3.2 Carrera's that won't idle and can quit if the battery's a bit flat.

It seems that there is enough juice to start and just about enough to run the car but the warm up regulator seems to get starved of power.

On my own 3.2 the idle fluctuates for a few minutes when cold if the car has been left for a week or more but is OK if the car was used only a couple of days earlier. I invested in a battery conditioner and this has cured the symptoms.

May be worth putting the battery on charge overnight or trying another one if you can.

My 1974 2.7 had a similar problem. Finally narrowed it down to the warm up regulator. I took it apart and cleaned the orfices and viola, the car continued to run. The only problem was that it was now hard starting cold.
I replaced the warm up regulator and that cured the problem.

had the same problem, my wrench could not track it down...checked EVERYTHING...took the fuel pump apart...found nothing, put it back together...and it purrs like a kitten.

Also might want to check your engine ground strap...