Car Died ; Strange Happenings

[dk1977]

1977 Vette, L48, Edelbrock carb, intake, Accel HEI Dist, headers, pretty much stock internals..
Recently I had the console and the guage cluster out (again) for some insulation work. All went back together fine. Connected all the ground wires, etc. I have driven the car twice since then and noticed theses problems:
Drive #1: "GEN" light came on and voltmeter showed zero.
After about 5 minutes the light went out and read good voltage. I continued my drive and the water temp guage would swing very rapidly from side to side (intermittantly). I checked the sending unit connections and the motor was not hot. Problem continued intermittantly.
Drive #2: I filled up with gas, drove 25 miles and made a left hand turn, the car died. I checked the fuel filter (glass) and saw small bubbles. Checked electrical connections and what I could with limited tools. After sitting 10 minutes, the car started and immediately died. Then the started would only click when turning the key. I waited a few more minutes and it started and ran fine on my return trip. I was turning onto my street and the gen light came on again (o voltage). I parked her and thought I would seek help here on where to start.
The weather was in the mid 80's.
Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Have you checked your fan belts?

 

[dk1977]

Sorry, forgot to include that. Yes, the belt is tight and all seems to be working mechanically. I'm going to test output from the Alt this am. thanks.

 

[Florida Guy]

Logic tells me it is the guage cluster. It was OK until you worked in that area. I would remove, inspect, and install it again.

 

[TJay]

Yes check the Alt. output, also make sure you don't have a loose or worn connector wire on the Alt. Keep us posted as to your findings, I'm sure with more information we can help you solve this.

 

[dk1977]

I checked the alt this am. No loose connections, etc. I measured 14 volts at the threaded terminal, 14 at the first terminal on the plug in and zero on the second terminal. The gen light is still on and the guage is not reading at all.

The problem with the water temp guage: Grounded the wire and guage went all the way to HOT. It is working now, reading about 190. Thanks

 

[mvftw]

First thing to replace on a intermit dying is the distributor module... Cheap & EZ...

 

[JohnGrawcock]

Sounds like you've got a pinched wire or something causing an intermittent short in the guage cluster. If it's drawing enough to load down the battery, you've got to wonder if its a potential fire hazard.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Check the connector on the back of the instrument cluster. Sometimes they don't seat and click in place. You can reach in from the side after taking the glove box liner out.

 

[dk1977]

I'll try and get to the plug without pulling the console. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post the cure if it's not a loose plug.

 

[dk1977]

Coundn't reach the plug without pulling the console & removing the guage cluster. Pulled it and the plug was not snapped in place on the top. I cleaned the terminals and made sure it was plugged in securely and the gen light is out and the volt meter reads nornal. My Bad, got sloppy.
As for the dying problem, I replaced the module (cheap insurance) and updated the fuel pump and -6 AN line and fittings to the carb. FYI. the Edelbrock drop line with the AN style fuel filter will not clear the heater hose on the Edelbrock manifold. I ended up bending a 3/4" offset in the line and cleared ok. You would think Edelbrock products would work together without a tube bender. Thanks for all the posts.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Coundn't reach the plug without pulling the console & removing the guage cluster. Pulled it and the plug was not snapped in place on the top. I cleaned the terminals and made sure it was plugged in securely and the gen light is out and the volt meter reads nornal. My Bad, got sloppy.

It had a familiar ring to it.
All my gauges went whacky one day and naturally woudn't do it when I took it to a mechanic. Some gauges were dead while others were pegged at full scale.
I reached in through the glove box and found the plug was loose on the gauge cluster, and snapped it back in place.

Glad you found the problem.