Ok, 91 stock std hatch (d15b1 dpfi)
Car shut off twice on me while driving, after replacing the dizzy o ring, and adjusting the dizzy by guesswork.
3 miles down the road, the car shut off at 30mph 1500rpm
I adjusted the dizzy and tried to start after each adjustment, it just kept cranking, and finally
started after 15 minutes.
20 miles later car shut off again while coasting in 3rd at 2000rpm to a stop sign.
I adjusted the dizzy for a half hour, then did a spark test, determined no spark.
I unbolted the dizzy, pulled it off, then reinstalled.
The Car then started immediately, and has not stalled again for 150 miles.
I had my timing checked/set with a gun, it was barely off, and I also replaced the ignitor the next day.

Question #1:dizzy goes on one way(?), is it possible that my pulling off/reinstalling the dizzy fixed the problem somehow, or was that likely just a coincidence that it started right up after doing that?

Question #2:could it have been related to timing?

Question #3: I drove for a while with the dizzy plug bracket unbolted and resting on top of the tranny, could this have caused a short?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Frank.

 

i was going to say its prob your main relay

was the car just randomly dying or did you casually die down?


question three, i doubt it

 

zach, main relay, I will try my spare if it dies again. what ecatly do you mean by random and casual?

Thanks for your help, frank

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by budomove &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">zach, main relay, I will try my spare if it dies again. what ecatly do you mean by random and casual?

Thanks for your help, frank</TD></TR></TABLE>

like the car die instantly and complete power loss or did it like sputter then shut down

 

it may have sputtered a little, but not much if at all.

 

could be the dizzy wasnt bolted prob and was bouncing around and re-aligned when you played with it but it could've been something failing electrically. next time it does it, take a test light to the wires in the plugs. could be shorting out somewhere?

 

I think its possible that the o-ring wasn't seated properly and the oil was then seeping into the distributor housing and causing the igniter to fail. After the oil had a chance to settle it would have allowed it to start and run. When you reseated it, it sealed properly.

 

but it continued to fail after he replaced the o-ring

 

zach is right, and no oil ever got in there, I went into the cap before and after. I also determined there was no spark when I tested all wires with a plug tester, so wouldn't that also rule out the main relay? I will go over all grounds tomorrow, and just carry around an extra dizzy, and see if it breaks down again.

 

take the relay from the frame and test it.

 

will do, and I have a spare I will pop in if need be!
Thanks

 

It could be the main relay. These tend to give out on 1988-1991 cars. With the car off, try turning the key to the on position. If you do not hear a click coming from the area of the driver side kick panel when the check engine light comes on AND when it goes off, chances are the main relay is bad.

 

yEAH, I carry a spare, and it is good according to your test. Thanks, though.