Car died suddenly under acceleration???

Shakenbake · 09-23-2001, 08:02 PM

Haven't driven the 1974 911 for about 2 months. It started normally and idled fine. I noticed an intermittent stall while revving but didn't think much about it. Started out Saturday AM to Starbucks and about 2 blocks from the house it dies like it had lost all fire. Subsequent trying to restsrt killed the battery. Towed home and recharged the battery. It would start (not easily) and run at idle but trying to accelerate will kill the engine. I've replaced the dist cap and checked all plug wires & fuses/relays. Everything seems normal. What gives?

Chris

Zendalar · 09-24-2001, 01:13 AM

Check the fuel filters if they are clogged, the reason might be that it just ain't getting enough gas.

Shakenbake · 10-03-2001, 04:38 PM

STATUS - Fuel filter, fuel pump, injectors are all ok, plug wires and connectors check out, installed new dist cap. Now car does not start. It would start and idle but would promptly die if rpms increased. what gives?

Chris

SeaDweller · 10-03-2001, 04:55 PM

How long has that particular tank of gas been in there?

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

Kevin Stewart · 10-03-2001, 07:33 PM

Had this problem in my race car, the distrubutor out put was weak, Thanks, Kevin

Zendalar · 10-03-2001, 10:32 PM

Heh, I always suggest the CDI box, and I will do that now too.

The PO got the CDI box I had earlier in the car. It had been working ok, but when I got the car it worked on idle, but when given gas it died.

stlrj · 10-03-2001, 11:32 PM

Might be a massive vacuum leak like a cracked air box or poorly seated pop off valve if installed.

Joe

Shakenbake · 10-04-2001, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeaDweller:
How long has that particular tank of gas been in there?

Airbox is in good shape, pop off valve opens easily now, used to be somewhat stuck, car backfired several times recently while trying to start.

Gas tank was 2/3 full and has been sitting for about 6 weeks undriven prior to this problem.

Is there a way to check the CDI box to determine if this is the problem?

Chris

[This message has been edited by Shakenbake (edited 10-04-2001).]

Early_S_Man · 10-04-2001, 02:31 PM

Chris,

To test the CDI-unit and coil, pull off the #1 spark plug connector and the coil high-tension lead. Attach the spark plug connector to a new or old spark plug and transfer the #1 distributor terminal to the coil. Remove the trigger wire Faston connector from the dide of the distributor. Turn on ignition and verify that the CDI-unit is whining. Make sure spark plug body is laying on engine sheet metal ... don't hold it! Take distributor trigger wire and make repeated contact with block or distributor body ... and several blue-white sparks should be seen and heard at spark plug.

If you are getting good sparks at plug, reconnect trigger wire to distributor and crank engine ... see if you are still getting good sparks. If not, the points or the bare copper ground strap from distributor body to point plate is suspect. That ground strap can break from metal fatigue right at the point where it is spot welded to the point plate!
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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 10-04-2001).]

Shakenbake · 10-28-2001, 02:36 PM

What a goofus I am, I have pulled every injector, checked every plugwire and connector, new dist cap & rotor, checked the CDI, coil etc and was still having a problem with car starting and dying when rpms got around 2500-3000. Just by chance I thought...hey, I haven't even looked at the points...sure enough, slightly pitted, put a small file to it and HOLY COW, she fired right up and purred (kinda) like a slightly sick kitten. Well, new points tomorrow with proper gap, dwell & timing and I should be good to go. I can't believe I have been struggling with this since September and it was the points the whole time...

old_skul · 10-28-2001, 03:36 PM

Good to see you back on the road, Chris, and good to see you back on the forums too.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

Early_S_Man · 10-28-2001, 03:51 PM

Chris,

Just for good measure ... you really ought to turn the engine to TDC #1, and pull the distributor , disassemble, and thoroughly clean it, check for any shaft wobble (replace bushings if found) ... and check the centrifugal advance curve. All of the specs for the 911T distributor apply to yours from the following thread ... including an exploded diagram of the distributor:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/009677.html

Good luck!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

Shakenbake · 10-28-2001, 05:06 PM

Mark, thanks for the welcome back. I've been very busy as of late with travel, training and family. Left little time for me to keep up with the board. I'm trying to catch up on the posts from the last couple of months, glad to see that Leland is good, I saw his posts and the pictures that Jack posted.

Warren, thanks for the tips, I followed your tip about testing the CDI unit (glad that was good). By performing the tests I've found new projects to take care of in the near future (ground strap) and the distributor disassembly and cleaning. Thanks again. It's great to have access to the wealth of knowledge and support on this board.

Chris
1974 911 Sunroof Coupe