I'm stumped here and would appreciate any tips.
I have an 86 Ramcharger with a 360. It is a carb intake and stock electronic ignition.
At any random time the engine will suddenly stop. It is an immediate stop, as if the ignition were turned off. Most of the time it will start back up. Sometimes though it will turn over without firing. If I wait some period of time (again, length is random) it will fire up.
I do not believe it is fuel related, I have plenty of gas, I have replaced the fuel pump and fuel is coming out at the carb. The carb itself was rebuilt last year, it is a Edelbrock Performer if anyone needs to know.
I believe it is a short based on this:
- I noticed smoke coming off the negative post on the battery when I tried to restart it with the hood open the other day and it wouldn't fire up (no smoke when it does start)
- Fuel, air and timing are all OK, but I have not confirmed spark (once it stops it is hard to get it not to start)
- The stop is sudden like the ignition is turned off
- There are no "trouble" signs like knocking, stuttering, smoke, or squeals
- Gauges all read fine
However, I can not verify it is a short and I have no idea where else to look. Because it acts like the spark is removed when it stops, I traced back from the coil through the harness under the hood and can't find any melting, chaffing where a wire might ground out or a connector is loose. I unwrapped most of the harness and checked for wires that may have crossed and found none. The voltage regulator, orange box and ballast resistor and their connections are all OK. The distributor cap and wires are new with my last tune up about 8 months ago. Coil was replaced last year. Battery is 3 months old, alternator is less than 2 years old.
With the engine running, I have jiggled and wiggled every wire and harness under my hood and dash and unable to get it to stop.
What am I missing? Has anyone else had a similar problem?