Stalls after fixed time - second go 'round

Last week I posted about the 1992 Acclaim (4 cyl, 124k miles) that stalls
after exactly 20 minutes at highway speed. Anything over 40 mph seems to do
it.

My mechanic couldn't test drive it long enough (he's not very near a
highway) to recreate the problem. He said the hall effect sensor had a
fluctuating resistance and replaced it. No difference though.

Some people here suggested the gas cap was not allowing air into the tank.
When next it stalled I removed the cap for a few seconds to let the pressure
equalize. There was no sound of air rushing in. It still wouldn't start
until it sat for 5 minutes just like before.


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Sounds like something in the ignition circuit is getting hot and
creating an open circuit.
Possibly the coil.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Sounds like something in the ignition circuit is getting hot and
> creating an open circuit.
> Possibly the coil.

Maybe that would create the same behavior, but I thought it "feels" more
like a fuel problem because it sputters with gradually increasing severity
for almost a minute before it stalls completely.


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Tom Del Rosso wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>
>>Sounds like something in the ignition circuit is getting hot and
>>creating an open circuit.
>>Possibly the coil.
>
>
> Maybe that would create the same behavior, but I thought it "feels" more
> like a fuel problem because it sputters with gradually increasing severity
> for almost a minute before it stalls completely.
>
>

A coil breaking down when hot can exhibit the same symptoms, but in my
experience (with much older cars) it usually is fuel; either the fuel
pump or rust flakes in the gas tank (and you shouldn't have either)

actually pretty much ANY electronic component could cause this, but I'd
suspect the analog ones (i.e. coil) first.

nate

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Tom Del Rosso wrote:

> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>
>>Sounds like something in the ignition circuit is getting hot and
>>creating an open circuit.
>>Possibly the coil.
>
>
> Maybe that would create the same behavior, but I thought it "feels" more
> like a fuel problem because it sputters with gradually increasing severity
> for almost a minute before it stalls completely.

That could just as easily be the ignition getting weaker and weaker and
more intermittent.

Is there any spark at the coil or plugs when you test it immediately
after one of these stalling incidents?

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
>
> That could just as easily be the ignition getting weaker and weaker and
> more intermittent.
>
> Is there any spark at the coil or plugs when you test it immediately
> after one of these stalling incidents?

I was ill-equipped to do much testing at those times. I'll try to obtain a
timing light. Is there anything else I can try when nobody else is around?


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"Tom Del Rosso" > wrote in message
news
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> That could just as easily be the ignition getting weaker and weaker and
>> more intermittent.
>>
>> Is there any spark at the coil or plugs when you test it immediately
>> after one of these stalling incidents?
>
> I was ill-equipped to do much testing at those times. I'll try to obtain
> a
> timing light. Is there anything else I can try when nobody else is
> around?
>
>

I've had good results with just pulling the spark plug boot, taking a
screwdriver and inserting it in the boot and then placing it (the metal
shaft of the screwdriver) close to something that is grounded. If a spark
jumps, you'll know that the ignition system is working. Then you need to
determine if the spark is good or not. You won't have to buy a timing
light.

-Bruce

Tom Del Rosso wrote:
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>That could just as easily be the ignition getting weaker and weaker and
>>more intermittent.
>>
>>Is there any spark at the coil or plugs when you test it immediately
>>after one of these stalling incidents?
>
>
> I was ill-equipped to do much testing at those times. I'll try to obtain a
> timing light. Is there anything else I can try when nobody else is around?

Fuel pressure gauge and a can of starter fluid. Beware! A poorly fitted
fuel pressure gauge can cause your present car problem to be a non - issue.
Be Careful With Gasoline!

Car konks but has spark. Fuel pressure gauge reads good but car starts
using starting fluid. Ah HAH! Maybe a blockage at Mr. Carburator or
Mr. Throttle Body.

Car konks but has spark. Fuel pressure is non-existant. Ah HAH!
Suspect fuel pump or blockage at filter or in line.

Car konks, no spark but fuel pressure is within manufacturer's spec.
Ah HAH! Ignition problem as pondered before.

Ideally, you could have the car completely instrumented.

By the way, when you tested the On Board Diagnostics, what codes were
revealed?

--Winston

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005, Tom Del Rosso wrote:

> Last week I posted about the 1992 Acclaim (4 cyl, 124k miles) that
> stalls after exactly 20 minutes at highway speed. Anything over 40 mph
> seems to do it. My mechanic couldn't test drive it long enough (he's not
> very near a highway) to recreate the problem. He said the hall effect
> sensor had a fluctuating resistance and replaced it. No difference
> though.

Did he test the primary resistance of the ignition coil?

"Daniel J. Stern" > wrote in message
. umich.edu...
>
> Did he test the primary resistance of the ignition coil?

I don't know, but I'll ask. Thanks.


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