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Car shuts off

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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 04:30 PM
  #1  
froggys86's Avatar
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Car shuts off

I need some hep as to figure why my car suddenly loses power but able to turn back on and any ways to check what is going on...I have an 86 Cutlass Supreme with a 307 engine...any help is appreciated...
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 04:48 PM
  #2  
m371961's Avatar
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Posts: 2,163
From: Sistersville, WV
Do you mean to say that it shuts off and the re-starts? Or suddenly nothing works, horn. lights etc. ,then all works again.
If the first, does it immediately re-start, or is it a period of time before it starts again.
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:08 PM
  #3  
MDchanic's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
Well, IF he means that the engine shuts off, but the rest of the electrical equipment functions normally, the next question is:

Is there some specific circumstance that occurs just before it shuts off?
Accelerating? Stopping short? Turning left? Going over bumps? Changing gears? Tuning the radio?

If so, then that will lead you to the cause.

In general, the three possibilities that I can see are:
• An intermittent connection in the feed to the HEI, including connectors, wires, ignition switch, and horn relay post.
• A bad ground between the engine (or battery) and the body.
• A bad HEI module.

Good luck!

- Eric
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:24 PM
  #4  
76olds's Avatar
Hookers under Hood
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,543
From: Ontario, Canada
What does your temp gauge show when you start loosing power and wanting to shut down?

Eric
Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:30 PM
  #5  
don71's Avatar
same but different
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,967
From: Central Missouri
You're either losing fuel to fire or losing electricity to fire the fuel.
Old Dec 18, 2016 | 10:16 PM
  #6  
froggys86's Avatar
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I appreciate all responses, it suddenly stops, radio and lights work sometimes when this happens but for the most part they do,I'm able to start it right up when in traffic I put in neutral and restart with no hesitation...I've heard vacuum leaks can play a part in this as well.
Old Dec 19, 2016 | 06:08 AM
  #7  
MDchanic's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,183
From: The Hudson Valley
So the radio and lights work sometimes, and sometimes they don't, and you didn't answer the rest of the questions.

It's a start. I'll wait for more information.

- Eric
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