Help! CE breaks down on Vette Gal, I need some advice

[Vette Gal]

Drove my CE for the second time down the highway tonight, last week I filled it up with gas after taking it out of storage, it seems to be running a little rough. Got home no problem! Then tonight I went for a drive down the highway, all of a sudden there was a pop sound, then the engine just quit....took off air filter
and there was getting gas but was not firing. This car being fuel injected, could it be that it is just flooded.
Had to get a tow truck to get me home, was stranded on
the highway, a lady by herself, scared to death. Tow truck for a 10 minute tow cost me $100.00 but he came to my rescue very fast so so I was happy and he put my car back into my garage. Just need some advice as to what my problem might be, this car has never left me stranded in 27 years. Thanks to all who respond, I really depend on all you folks out there. I only hope it is just flooded and not the
computer chip!hnoes I will try to start it tomorrow and let you know.
Vette Gal

 

[TimAT]

Check for spark. As with all HEI distributors, the wires to the pickup coil can (and do) break. The pop you heard makes me suspicious of that. Wire came apart, got back together, popped, then quit. Could also be the module, but they usually go quietly. Either it works or it doesn't.
If you have a 12v testlight, disconnect the TACH wire from the distributor, ground the clip on the testlight, put the probe on the TACH terminal on the cap and crank it- if the light flashes it's NOT anything in the distributor. No flash, then module.
Could also be the rotor in there. They've been known to burn thru in the center under the contact.

 

[ARKvette02]

I'm not a mechanic so there is no credibility in my guess, but a POP and quit sounds like a timing issue. It probably didnt jump time but it may be in the distributor like TimAT said.

 

[killain]

I'm not a mechanic so there is no credibility in my guess, but a POP and quit sounds like a timing issue. It probably didnt jump time but it may be in the distributor like TimAT said.

I have to agree with bill, I'd have a mechanic check that the timing marks and TDC are still acurate. After thrity years, the old fiberplastic timing gear might have given up the task. And if that's still OK, move on to the electrics.

 

[Hib Halverson]

While there sure are a lot of smileys, there is little information as to symptoms.

You can decide for yourself if the engine is flooded by flooring the throttle and attempting to start the engine. That puts the engine controls into "clear flood" mode which shuts off the injectors until the ECM senses the engine starts.

That said, if the car was driving fine, there was a bang and it quite, it's unlikely the engine is flooded.

I'd be looking for a failed ignition system or a mechanical failure inside the engine.

How many miles are on the car?

 

[Vette Gal]

Well I didn't flood it, good for me

While there sure are a lot of smileys, there is little information as to symptoms.

You can decide for yourself if the engine is flooded by flooring the throttle and attempting to start the engine. That puts the engine controls into "clear flood" mode which shuts off the injectors until the ECM senses the engine starts.

That said, if the car was driving fine, there was a bang and it quite, it's unlikely the engine is flooded.

I'd be looking for a failed ignition system or a mechanical failure inside the engine.

How many miles are on the car?

There are only 50,000 miles on the car, and after being broken down, as I mentioned, got towed home,
but forgot to mention I was stranded in my PJ's in the middle of nowhere, so that's why all the smileys..I felt like an idiot. Let the car sit over night, tried to start it in the morning but it wouldn't fire up, gas is getting
to where it is suppose to go, but no start, no go, guess I have to get it towed into the city and have a mechanic look at it, he said it sounds like the coil and it's not a bit thing to fix, but after 28 year of no mechanical problems I guess I am just greatful that I got home in one piece as did the car...the towing is going to cost more than the mechanics bill I am afraid, but that is what comes when you live in the country. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is anything major. Wish me luck and thanks for all the advise everyone.....I will let you all know when I get my Baby back on the road again.
Cheer Vette Gal

 

[Vette Gal]

Thanks from Vette Gal re Breakdown

Thanks guys............the Baby is home from the hospital,
the problem was the rotor, if I had gone a little further
below the spark plug wiring I would have found it...but
just glad it wasn't a major failure...........plus my mechanic put in that pesky windshield washer container, which I don't think I could have done at all...so as I said before, the tow bill was more than the mechanics bill.

So if you hear a pop and your car won't start again, don't think the worst. A good lesson to be learned for me and thanks for your wise words of wisdom
Vette Gal is ready to Rock 'N Roll again.

 

[JohnGrawcock]

Root cause of the problem

Murphy's law mandates that if your driving around in the middle of nowhere in your PJ's the car must breakdown.

 

[Vette Gal]

Murphy's law mandates that if your driving around in the middle of nowhere in your PJ's the car must breakdown.

Yes, John I have actually learned two lessons from this little breakdown...

1. Don't go cruisin in your PJ's
2. And make sure you have your makeup on

Laughing now, but not on Saturday night!
Vette Gal

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

Sat nite and no makeup????????????????
Glad it turned out fine, so easily.

 

[GS Diva]

Vette Gal,

So glad to hear that all is well now. I would have been very frightened stranded on the highway alone at night. hnoes

Cardinal rule in my house...I go nowhere without makeup on!!

Elaine

P.S. By the way, I love those '82 Collector Editions!

 

[ScottNoxid]

Yes, John I have actually learned two lessons from this little breakdown...

1. Don't go cruisin in your PJ's
2. And make sure you have your makeup on

Laughing now, but not on Saturday night!
Vette Gal

I love a story with a happy ending!