1984 Laser: Dying at Normal Speeds
 

My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
What are the possible causes?
Thank you.

--
Jonathan Grobe Books
Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
http://www.grobebooks.com

pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problemm will slowly loose power then cut
off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,

"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
...
>
> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
> What are the possible causes?
> Thank you.
>
> --
> Jonathan Grobe Books
> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
> http://www.grobebooks.com
>

pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problemm will slowly loose power then cut
off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,

"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
...
>
> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
> What are the possible causes?
> Thank you.
>
> --
> Jonathan Grobe Books
> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
> http://www.grobebooks.com
>

"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote

> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
> started at the bottom of the hill.

When's the last time this beast had a general tune-up? You know, plugs,
wires, injector cleaner, air filter etc? Also, an elderly battery and/or
alternator might be causing marginally low voltage. Often when cars get old
they have multiple problems, none fatal in themselves, but in total add up
to a sick puppy.

"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote

> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
> started at the bottom of the hill.

When's the last time this beast had a general tune-up? You know, plugs,
wires, injector cleaner, air filter etc? Also, an elderly battery and/or
alternator might be causing marginally low voltage. Often when cars get old
they have multiple problems, none fatal in themselves, but in total add up
to a sick puppy.

On 2004-11-18, maxpower > wrote:
> pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problem will slowly loose power then cut
> off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,
>
My mechanic obviously has problems fixing a car when it is
working fine for him. When it has died and won't start are
there any simple things I can do along the side of the road
to determine what the problem is?



> "Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
>> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
>> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
>> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
>> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
>> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
>> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
>> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
>> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
>> What are the possible causes?
>> Thank you.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Grobe Books
>> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
>> http://www.grobebooks.com
>>
>
>


--
Jonathan Grobe Books
Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
http://www.grobebooks.com

On 2004-11-18, maxpower > wrote:
> pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problem will slowly loose power then cut
> off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,
>
My mechanic obviously has problems fixing a car when it is
working fine for him. When it has died and won't start are
there any simple things I can do along the side of the road
to determine what the problem is?



> "Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
>> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
>> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
>> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
>> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
>> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
>> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
>> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
>> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
>> What are the possible causes?
>> Thank you.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Grobe Books
>> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
>> http://www.grobebooks.com
>>
>
>


--
Jonathan Grobe Books
Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
http://www.grobebooks.com

It takes fuel and spark for the engine to run. Pull the air cleaner and see
if you are getting fuel. Pull a plug wire and see if you are getting spark.
An inductive timing light or neon strobe light may help here....


"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
...
> On 2004-11-18, maxpower > wrote:
>> pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problem will slowly loose power then cut
>> off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,
>>
> My mechanic obviously has problems fixing a car when it is
> working fine for him. When it has died and won't start are
> there any simple things I can do along the side of the road
> to determine what the problem is?
>
>
>
>> "Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
>>> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
>>> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
>>> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
>>> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
>>> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
>>> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
>>> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
>>> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
>>> What are the possible causes?
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jonathan Grobe Books
>>> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
>>> http://www.grobebooks.com
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Jonathan Grobe Books
> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
> http://www.grobebooks.com
>

It takes fuel and spark for the engine to run. Pull the air cleaner and see
if you are getting fuel. Pull a plug wire and see if you are getting spark.
An inductive timing light or neon strobe light may help here....


"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
...
> On 2004-11-18, maxpower > wrote:
>> pick up plate? fuel pump? a fuel problem will slowly loose power then cut
>> off, an electrical problem as a pickup plate will just shut quick,
>>
> My mechanic obviously has problems fixing a car when it is
> working fine for him. When it has died and won't start are
> there any simple things I can do along the side of the road
> to determine what the problem is?
>
>
>
>> "Jonathan Grobe" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> My 1984 Chrysler Laser Turbo died three times on a trip.
>>> The first time I was driving along at 60mph. I was able to
>>> re-start as it coasted to a halt. The second time I was also
>>> driving about 60 mph. It died. I cranked it almost until
>>> the battery was down. Then I coasted it down a hill; it
>>> started at the bottom of the hill. I thought it might be
>>> a clogged fuel filter so replaced it. It died a third time
>>> this time driving about 30 mph in a city. Again I had
>>> difficulty re-starting after it had stopped.
>>> What are the possible causes?
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jonathan Grobe Books
>>> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
>>> http://www.grobebooks.com
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Jonathan Grobe Books
> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
> http://www.grobebooks.com
>

I had this exact problem in my 1985 Omni GLH (2.2L turbo, same as your
car). In my case it turned out to be bad pickups in the distributor,
which I replaced with junkyard parts.

To diagnose this, turn the key on (but don't start the engine).
Normally you'd hear the fuel pump prime. If it doesn't prime, it
could well be the pickups. (You might have to have a helper listen to
the pump, or connect a voltmeter to it.)

IIRC, after unplugging the bad pickups, the fuel pump would prime.
That's probably how I diagnosed it. It was a long time ago so the
memory's hazy. If you go to a junkyard to find new pickups, make real
sure you know what yours look like, because there are at least two
versions.