Engine Stalls Suddenly When Driving

[Ragland]

After searching through older posts, I didn't see one quite like this.

I'm driving down the road, and within about 5 to 10 minutes of starting, the engine loses all power. No shifting, no dying at idle, just cruising anywhere about 30 to 60 and without warning the engine quits. When I try to restart, it will faintly fire then die. It takes waiting at least a minute or two (which seems like eternity in the middle of the road) before it will start and run. Once it restarts, the check engine light clears.

As for the error codes, I did catch an "03" a few times, indicating the ecu if I am correct. Is this what starts to happen when the ecu fails? Any other guesses?

[sheki]

maybe a fuel pump? It's an option worth investigating.

[Davis]

Might be the ignition control module.

[Hans]

I'd 2nd the ignition module. It's located real close to the radiator hose, and I believe there were heat induced issues with it in that location. I know somebody makes a relocation kit to move the module away from the engine to cure the problem.

-Hans

[Abrooks]

STC 1856. I put a heat sink on the back of the new bracket as well just to ensure it won't cook again.

[Davis]

I recently purchased a Mallory Unilite distributor--the unilite module takes place of the ignition control module and you will be done with it forever. Replacement unilite modules called the e-spark are about $37 from Summit. The distributor runs great and the whole shebang costs less than a relocate kit/ignition module. FYI.

[Abrooks]

Let's see some pictures and a write-up!

[Mike Hippert]

I recently purchased a Mallory Unilite distributor--the unilite module takes place of the ignition control module and you will be done with it forever. Replacement unilite modules called the e-spark are about $37 from Summit. The distributor runs great and the whole shebang costs less than a relocate kit/ignition module. FYI.

NICE CHRIS! Sounds like a must do mod! :grin

[tmore]

where did you get the distributor from and do you have a part#?

Thanks
Ttom

[COSteve]

Hey Anthony, what kind of Heat sink did you stick on the back of the relocate unti?
COSteve

[Hans]

You can also do 215 buick distributors from either MSD or one of the new Accell Dual-Sync distributors as well, though some modifications are needed to put on the later type Rover drive gears.

-Hans

[Abrooks]

Picked one up from the computer aisle at Radio shack, reconfigured where the brackets were on the plate, trimmed the screws that hold the module on so that they were flush with the back of the plate and used some sort of heat-sink adhesive to adhere it. I'm assuming it works since it hasn't blown up.

[Ragland]

Thanks for the responses everyone. The ignition module sounds like a good call, and one I will look after this weekend. There are so many threads on stalling, I accidently overlooked it. Perhaps we need one entire category, maybe a sub-group under the "Looking for help?", dedicated solely to engine stalling. Next to "Overheating or Running Hot?", that is.

[Davis]

I will dig out all the distributor info and do a write up this weekend.

[COSteve]

Anthony, thanks for the description, I can see in my mind exactly how you did it. Will try it !

[Antonios]

I will dig out all the distributor info and do a write up this weekend.

Did you ever get a chance to post this info?

How do you diagnose that the ignition module is the problem?