Sudden Power Loss

[Scott R]

Last night I was doing about 40 @ 3000rpms And the tach needle just dropped and the engine shut off. Still had power to everything else, lights, starter, radio heater fan. So I pushed the clutch in, coasted about 5 yards downshifted to second and popped the clutch. The car started right back up! Was running great again!. Then about a mile later it did the same thig all over again. This is an 1985.5n/a. Any ideas?

[Martin Taylor]

try replacing the fuel pump or DME relay, this is a common fault.

[Mrmerlin]

Originally posted by Scott R:
Last night I was doing about 40 @ 3000rpms And the tach needle just dropped and the engine shut off. Still had power to everything else, lights, starter, radio heater fan. So I pushed the clutch in, coasted about 5 yards downshifted to second and popped the clutch. The car started right back up! Was running great again!. Then about a mile later it did the same thig all over again. This is an 1985.5n/a. Any ideas?

Hi Scott in addition to checking the DME relay you might start with the easiest things to check that would be both of the battery terminals make shure they are both clean and corrosion free also look to see if the ground wire is solid IE not filled with some green looking dust if it is then it should be replaced, check the ground on the engine remove the wire and reconnect it , also you will need to check the starter connections, remember to disconnect the neg terminal B4 doing the starter, after your done with the battery make shure you put a cover on it so it wont get wet every time it rains or you wash the car I used an old coolant bottle I cut out one side and fitted it over the battery and made 2 slots for the wires to come out this will keep the battery dry and prevent acid from being rinsed every time it rains in to the battery well this will also stop the battery box from rotting from battery acid. Also check the fuse box remove every relay and see if any of them have a rust colored film under it if so then that relay might be bad from water leaking into the box ,and do every fuse as well one at a time of course.
Also check the connections to the alternator with the battery disconnected...I hope this helps......Stan

[RJ]

Martin is defintely on the right track, the DME and fuel pump relays are one and the same in the 85.5. About 20 dollars from a dealer, you won't find one anywhere else, I just tried. Also did it cut out all at once, or sputter and hesitate before hand. The former suggests electric or spark problem, the latter fuel delivery problems.

[Scott R]

It cut out all at once. I am leaning towards the relay now that you mention it. I posted earlier about taking my car to a shop here in Denver, they washed the engine and the car would not shut off after that. They told me that they shorted the starter realy when they washed it. Are the starter and DME relay in the same place?

[p0r2chby]

No. the DME relay is up in the fuse box, under the hood, just in front of the driver... should be a black cover with two metal clips holding in place. Starter is at back of motor, under car, beside the clutch