Was driving along today and out of the blue it just quit.

05-30-2013, 03:45 AM

88 Cab only owned it a year never a problem. Was driving along today and out of the blue it just quit. Almost like ignition system shut down. Any thoughts

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Nick at Pelican Parts · 05-30-2013, 03:45 AM

If your engine doesn’t start you’ll want to check the basics. Check spark, fuel delivery and fuel pressure, volume and quality. Once you figure out what is missing, it will be easier to diagnose.

For a quick test of the ignition system, check if the coil has power and if the ground side is being pulsed.

- Nick

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

But first make sure you've got gas.

sc_rufctr · 05-30-2013, 04:27 AM

Check the relay for the fuel pump on the main fuse panel up front. It may be dislodged.
Happened to me in my SC. I went over a hard pump at it just quit.

By chance I checked the relay while is was waiting for the tow truck (flat bed)...

T77911S · 05-30-2013, 05:04 AM

pull a plug wire and with an old plug, check for spark. that will basically cut the problems in half.

javadog · 10:09 AM

Odds are:

DME relay
coil, if not the original one

JR

AVIMAX · 05-30-2013, 05:36 AM

My 86 did exactly the same thing, driving along and suddenly the engine dies, tach dropped to 0. Pulled to the side, it would turn over but wouldn't start. Replaced the DME relay under the drivers seat and it fired right up. When I took the old DME relay apart I found a few of the solder joints had cracks, one was cracked completely around the contact. Makes sense, after 20+ years, it's a good idea to keep a spare DME relay in the car.

msterling · msterling's Garage

I carry a spare DME relay in my glovebox. It is the most likely point of failure but not the only one. Mine has not failed but I have been warned. Could also be CHT sensor.

T77911S · 05-31-2013, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Odds are:

DME relay
coil, if not the original one
CDI box

JR

its an 88.

top of my list is a CPS.

NOLAsc · NOLAsc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Check the relay for the fuel pump on the main fuse panel up front. It may be dislodged.

Or just the fuel pump fuse itself (and the wiring on either side).

speednme1 · 05-31-2013, 04:14 AM

Had an 85 Carrera that basically did the same to me on the Williamburg bridge in NYC. Luckily she started back up only to die out again as I got off the bridge. Turned out it was the fuel pump but as others have said check all the other small items first.

NOLAsc · NOLAsc's Garage

Do these replies get to Boxman?

javadog · 05-31-2013, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

its an 88.

Yeah, I can read. Doesn't change my list.

JR

T77911S · 05-31-2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Yeah, I can read. Doesn't change my list.

JR

i did not know the 88 had a CD unit.

javadog · 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

i did not know the 88 had a CD unit.

Sorry, had turbo cab in my head for some reason... apparently I can't read... Prior posts fixed.

JR

T77911S · 05-31-2013, 06:47 AM

88's dont have a CD unit. they have a DME only. they stopped putting CD units in NA cars in 84. now the 88 turbo still had CD unit. i did not see if he said he had a trubo though. with "boxman" being his name, i was actually expecting a boxter question.

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

CHT connector (cylinder head temp). If that becomes disconnected the engine will cut out. Looking into the engine bay, left side towards the back, 3 off white connectors on a little metal bracket. Top one is the CHT. Search on the forum for a pic.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Had this happen a couple of times on my '71. Yea, I know it's not a Carrera, but...

Turned out a few times it was just a bad connection in the harness where it has a connector that goes through the body under the gauges. It would stall, going completely dead, then I would reach under the dash and bang the connector and poof, back to normal. I cleaned the contacts and haven't had a problem since.

Another time it was the fuse, up front, for the ignition. At first glance it looked OK, but later, after I got towed home, I noticed the END of the fuse had CORRODED away!

Good luck.

boxes · boxes's Garage

I just wanted to give a quick update because you all have been so great. I'm traveling and doing this on a phone so bare with me. I've been swamped with the day job so I've not had much time but here are the singlea few tid bits. ( for the record have toI've Nick named her Veronica the *****y hot black haired girl in jug head comics... black paint and other wise seems to fit). she had started a few times since and run for 30 seconds or so and then dies in a starvation way. I have jumped the fuel pump fuse and heard nothing different but not sure I did this correct? ( I'm going to search a little more here as I just jumped #6 to #1 at the bottom and turned the key to run. I have pulled the DME relay and ordered a new one for Monday. I tested the old one and seems ok... also had a friend reflow the solder joints... No luck (I jumped the fuel fuse after this).

now the head temp thing is interesting because while I sat dead on the road I started looking and that connector seemed loose and our broken on the back side of the metal plate. I pulled it apart wiped single blade connector and slide back in (I have to look to see if it's supposed to have more pins) it was a tight connection when I pulled out apart and slid it back together but is loose in the bracket.

as a point of reference a few days prior I had the top stuck and was messing around under the dash. I pulled the switch checked it which happens to be just above the ignition switch. when I first died I noticed my Windows worked with the key out. I got it to start momentarily and went to turn it off and it kept running ( just died on its own moments later). I don't think it is still doing this but it was weird.

I still need to pull a plug wire and eliminate that possibility..I ess really hoping it was the DME relay but doesn't seem to be but I'll put the new one in when I get it.

as a side note I pulled the passenger side floorboard to check my convertible top module and underthere a massive copper something in a major squarish hole. what is that thing? I wondered if I had something arcing from pushing all the wires back under that board. 911 wiring is not the most elegant thing at least in mine anyway.

you guys are tremendous and I thank you for your thoughts and would love any more you have. I'm big on passion and blood sweat and cuss words but hate paying someone if I can do it.

Targa Me · Targa Me's Garage

My 84 Carrera would run, then quit and the run again... it turned out to be the fuel regulator and fuel dampener. They were letting the fuel pressure to build and that when the car would quit.