My 1980 SC died at 55 mph.....

[Swiftmotoring]

Another 911 died story.... Was driving home yesterday afternoon and my 911 lost power while cruising down the road at 55 mph. After coasting into a gas station and pushing the car out of harms way, I tried to re-fire the motor. All electrics work fine, motor turns over but no fire. A quick clook at the motor aand everything looks and smells normal. A quick check of the fuse panel and everything is normal. Wait 30 minutes and the car fires and runs briefly but dies after approx 5 minutes. I am thinking it has to be fuel related at this point as everything else checks out normal and all electrics are operational....but I am by no means a mechanic. Towed the car home and it fired up straight away this morning, ran for ten minutes then died. What does the Pelican Parts brain trust recommend at this point before a tow to the shop?
Thanks in advance!
Marvin

[R_Builder]

Do you have a spare coil you could try?

[na2ub]

check the fuel pump relay in the front fuse panel. It is the red one and often wiggles loose.

[schumicat]

test if fuel pump is getting fuel to the engine. there are troubleshooting procedures for it in various posts.

[Jamie79SC]

If you do not have a spare fuel relay, get one. Swap it out and see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't, you need to carry a spare anyway.

I once had an intermittent problem just
like yours and a new fuel relay solved the issue.

[KNS]

My 1980 had the exact same symptoms once, it was the CDI box. Even though it still made its high-pitched whine it was kaput.

Swapped in a good one and everything was fine.

[T77911S]

when it is in the "no run" condition, pull a plug wire and put a spare plug on the end and ground the plug, have someone crank the engine while you check for spark. dont ever just assume it is a problem like fuel. oh, dont hold the wire in your hand.

[Swiftmotoring]

Thanks for the information. I have ordered a fuel pump relay and hopefully that will rectify the situation but if it doesn't...I will at least have a spare and can move to the next step. AAA Plus paid for itself with the 80 mile tow home at no cost. The car is safe in the garage and I can tackle the problem deliberately (low cost) and learn along the way.... Will post the solution when I find it!

[edgemar]

+1 on the relay

[Vincent Hill]

FIre up your car and run it until it dies! Then as someone suggested, Pull a Plug wire and attach it to a spare Spark Plug and lay it on a good ground. Have someone turn over the engine. If the SPark Plug does NOT fire then it is NOT a Fuel Pump Problem but ALWAYS Carry a spare Red Relay and Black ones!

If you have spark then the second thing to do is pull the Straps off the Airbox and take off the cover and filter. With the engine switch turned ON push up on the arm you see at the back of the box. You should hear a sound that lets you know there is FUel pressure and it is being sprayed. If you are unsure pull the left side Rear or center Fuel Injector nozzle. SPray a little WD 40 around the "0" RIng before you pry out the injector. Then watch it to see if it sprays when you lift the arm in the AIrbox. Hopefully you will either not see a spark or not have fuel. If you have both and it is not running then you have a problem!

Good Luck!

[RSTarga]

I'd check the fuel filter at the bottom of the tank too.

[Bob Kontak]

Do you have a Permatune CD box? Classic symptom.

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Do you have a Permatune CD box? Classic symptom.

I had the same symptoms and it was the Permatune.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by vincent hill

fire up your car and run it until it dies! Then as someone suggested, pull a plug wire and attach it to a spare spark plug and lay it on a good ground.

+1

[Swiftmotoring]

Well my new fuel pump relay arrived today.......and that didn't solve the problem. I guess it wouldn't hurt to order a new coil before I get it over to my mechanic to have it looked at professionally. Havi ng a spare fuel pump relay and spare coil seems like a smart idea. Any more thoughts?
Thanks for the advaice thus far!
Marvin

[DaddyGlenn]

Still betting on the CD box.

[Swiftmotoring]

I forgot to mention...the SC will not fire at all now. All electrics are fine, turns over but no fire...

[sbmackie]

Something as simple as vapor lock? Fuel tank not venting properly? Fuel pump can't keep up?

After it fails, try removing the gas cap and seeing if it will start. If it does, it is a classic vapor lock.

Not sure if this is even possible with our systems, but heck, it's worth a try. Or maybe I'm putting my ignorance on display. Wouldn't be the first time.

[KNS]

Ask your mechanic (or somebody else..) if he has a known good CD box he can swap in.

[Bob Kontak]

Convince us the electronics are good. Others have suggested seeing if you have spark. Did you do this?