Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 13:01:07 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: Need Help Figuring out 1987 900T Puzzling Behavior
dbled wrote: > > When the engine is cutting out, the tach doesn't move during the > half-second of "engine-off". The engine rpm stays constant. Is that > another clue. > > Thanks to all for the responses I've been getting. I appreciate all the > thought that's gone into trying to help me. It will take a while for me > to check out all your suggestions (as of yesterday, the car decided to > behave itself and it ran fine). > This could be a problem with your hall sensor then. In fact, I would daresay this may be exactly the problem. Inside the distributor is a little sensor which tells then engine management system about how the ignition system is working. When it fails, the car will not start - so it's possible that if yours is slowly failing that the car may simply die from time to time. I don't know about how to test it, or if it's replaceable, but I am pretty sure both are possible. Someone else here may have some insight, but I'd definitely lean towards the sensor... One thing you can do is check the three-wire plug that is plugged into the distributor - sometimes wacky things can happen to the plug or the harness - especially getting grounded out due to a bad plug...This will cause symptoms very similar to the ones you're describing. -Justin