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Sudden Loss Of Power

The Rebel

The Rebel

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Lately I've had a weird sudden loss of power.

Car starts with no issues. Then about 15 mins later it just dies, so l restart with no issues after that. Happened yesterday while out on a drive so pulled off the road and restarted.

With the car running, l've played with the battery cables, engine harness, ballast resistor & engine ground and no loss of power, so I'm completely at a loss of what's going on.
 
HALIFAXHOPS said:
Does it die hot then cool off a bit and start again? If so can be the pickup or the ecu.
Click to expand...


My thoughts as well, if it needs a few mins to cool down and then it restarts, usually a sign something electrical is over heating. Especially if it keeps happing after the first shut down.
 
Define "loss of power". When this happens, is there no electrical device in the car that will work ? Any lights, radio, wipers, heater fan ?
Or, does engine stall out and electrical items still work ?
 
Big problem with the newer "authorized" Mopar kits components.
 
Last edited:
When it dies I'm able to restart immediately if l put it in neutral or if l pull over and put it into park.
 
Interesting Could be either. Have to catch it when it happens unfortunately. Just a thought look at the contacts in the bulkhead connector make sure they are clean.

looney-tunes-technical.gif
 
Safety thing, having to be in neutral or park is normal as the starter relay is locked out in other shifter positions.
You did not answer the question about other electrical things in the car when this happens. Do they still work ?
 
Spray Bulkhead Connector with 1/2 can of Electrical Contact Cleaner for good measure. Gently jiggle entire box.
 
The Rebel said:
Lately I've had a weird sudden loss of power.

Car starts with no issues. Then about 15 mins later it just dies, so l restart with no issues after that. Happened yesterday while out on a drive so pulled off the road and restarted.

With the car running, l've played with the battery cables, engine harness, ballast resistor & engine ground and no loss of power, so I'm completely at a loss of what's going on.
Click to expand...
You're suffering from the technical criteria of "tired motor syndrome". The fix....a complete engine tear down and rebuild, to refresh what you've got, with emphasis on insuring tyre valve stem caps are torque correctly........just my thoughts and opinions.....(with tongue in cheek)......
BOB RENTON
 
The advice to spray clean the bulkhead is very easy to do and should be performed periodically anyway. I use DeOxIt and just stick the wand into each bulkhead passage and squirt.

Gently shake the two prong connector wires from the distributor and wiggle the coil wires while idling. See if any changes in running or stalling.

Tap on the ballast resistor with s screwdriver handle while idling. Tap in the distributor cap while idling.

If all this passes it is probably time to focus on fuel delivery.
 
twecomm said:
Safety thing, having to be in neutral or park is normal as the starter relay is locked out in other shifter positions.
You did not answer the question about other electrical things in the car when this happens. Do they still work ?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure everything goes dead but can't confirm as it takes me by surprise and I have to then deal with the loss of power steering / brakes.

Fran Blacker said:
After restart does it lose power again later?
Click to expand...
Nope, that's the weird thing. Happens once then goes away on the day I go out for a drive. It will happen again after sitting in the garage for a week or more.
 
When this happens, does it instantly stop running or stop running sputtering like it's out of gas or fuel starved ?
 
Humm not sure doesn't sputter but feels more like it just shuts down.

I did use some carb cleaner as well as fuel line carb cleaner in case it was fuel supply related.
 
You might want to check the fuel pump push rod for excessive wear. If worn down enough it will barely stroke the fuel pump arm causing erratic fuel delivery. I think it should be 3.25" OA length, you might want to search some threads in fuel & air forum to see if my recall on that length is correct. Not knowing if the other electrical items still work when this happens to you, It's just a possibility it's not an electrical problem.
 
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