GTV6 dies...randomly

Rebecca · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 12:57 PM

Hello all,

I have an 85 GTV6 with a mysterious problem. It just up and dies while i'm driving it, but only occasionally. The first time it quit and i pulled over and it started right up again. This happened another time and someone recommended that i replace the relay set...they suggested that it probably went bad and was keeping the fuel pump from getting the power it needed. So i replaced the relay and the car stopped having trouble starting up...and didn't quit on me for about 2 weeks. Then yesterday it died while in stop-and-go traffic on the highway. After giving it a good 20 minutes it still didnt want to start up again. It turned over fine, but with the highway noise there was no way for me to hear if the fuel pump was pumping. After getting it towed home, it started up just fine. Any ideas? is it simply a bad fuel pump? Any help would be appreciated.

Rebecca

TerryJ · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 06:20 PM

This happened to me many years ago. It turned out that it was the ignition switch. The car would be going fine and then die. I would start it and it would run then at some indeterminate time it would die again. Replaced the the ignition switch and it never happened again! My mechainc at the time thought it was the fuel pump initally but accidently tapped the ignition swithc when the car was running and it died.

Terry Johnston
83 CA GTV6 (original owner)
74 Spider
91 164S

Rebecca · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 07:56 PM

Thank you! that wasn't one of the things that was coming up in the shop book Troubleshooting list, but now that you mention it i think i've heard of that before.

GrandPrix · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 12:21 AM

Don't replace the ignition with an oem unit, use something in the aftermarket, it's bound to be better - the stock ignition switch is rubbish.

SD

91spiderNV · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 08:21 AM

Check your inertia switch. It could be popping up and cutting off the engine. Sounds goofy but it does happen. Inertia switch pops up when you hit a hard bump, overturn the car, etc. Its a safety feature but the wiring may be getting a bit oxidized.

Rebecca · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 08:26 AM

So, would a faulty ignition switch allow the engine to turn over...but keep it from actually starting? Because that's the problem, it turns over fine it just doesnt seem like it's getting gas. Plus, i've never been able to hear the fuel pump. Occasionally i hear a gurgling noise when i start the car up, but no fuel pump sound.

TerryJ · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 08:51 AM

It could be that your car is flooded. When this happens I remove fuse 5 (controls fuel injection) and turn the ignition key on to start. Once the car starts it will run until the fuel in the cylinders is burned up. I then put the no 5 fuse back in and the car genrally should start. GTV6's seem to be partial to flooding.

Terry Johnston
83 CA GTV6 (original owner)
Logan, Utah

HeavyMetalAlfa · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 07:39 PM

I truely recommend bypassing the fuel pump relay and the inertia switch. Unless you think there is a possibility of flipping over the car, the inertia switch will never be a help, but it can certainly be a problem ! I have fixed many GTV6's that wouldn't start or that stalled and were hard to start by bypassing the relays. Take a wire from a fuse that is on ONLY with the key in the on position, and run it back to the rear seat, pass side. Under that seat is a pair of wires going to the fuel pump. Cut away the elec tape, exposing the PINK wire. This is the hot lead to the fuel pump. Attach your wire from the hot, ignition on terminal. and when the key is on, you will hear the fuel pump. The majority of the time, this will cure the problem. If by rare chance it doesn't, then at least you know it isn't the fuel pump!!
Every now and again, the connector plug to the AFM needs a wiggle, or better yet a cleaning. Rarely, but sometimes the cause.

Rebecca · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 08:36 PM

Glenn, Thank you for the recommendations!
I was just driving the car back from a checkup and timing belt change at Alfa West when it quit. And by the way Karen said it was a great specimen of a GTV6 and i've yet to properly thank you for having gotten it to me!

I've cleaned the AFM and it's contacts. I've rolled the fuses. I've jiggled the ignition (without any result). The car starts and runs now, i'm just not too psyched to take it for a drive outside of my AAA area.

My mechanic strongly recommended against bypassing the relays, that's why i replaced it. So its got a brand-new relay. Is it really possible that a relay bypass would help, if the thing is new?

Can any of you point me to a fuse diagram for the GTV6?

Thanks!

mjr · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 01:18 AM

think what was disturbed for a belt change. The most commmon issue after belt change and water pump change, is the coolant temp sensor wires not connected correctly or dirty etc. Also did your service remove the AAV to clean it out and check its operation? These two often get overlooked, and are key to starting and running properly.

gt601 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 04:04 AM

Another thing to try is to (VERY CAREFULLY!!) move the wiring at the distributor while the car is idling. You don't have to yank on it, but just wiggle. I believe that it has a green sheath on it with a black plug at the dist. There should also be a spring lock connector in line of that harness. That should also be checked for looseness/corrosion. It's been a while since I had a six so this is just from memory. If this is wrong someone correct me please.

Paul

TerryJ · #12 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 06:54 AM

I would not think that it would be the connections to the thermostat. I just changed my TB and Water Pump. I reversed the connections accidently and the car would not start. If the car starts and is drivable but then occaisionally dies, it sure siounds like the ignition swtch. Another thing to check is the air intake tube between the AFM and the plenum. Check for cracks or splits. Also insure the little intake tubes that connect the plenum to the top of the engine are properly connected and do not have splits or cracks. Terry Johnston

chasgtv6 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 07:03 PM

On my '82 GTV6 I have had that problem occur 2 different ways....First was the inertia switch, and after "fixing " that the next several times it has been the fuses. I roll the fuses and it gets going again

alfahill · #14 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 04:37 AM

The ignition switch has separate contacts for start and run positions. You could have the contacts for the run postion going bad. That was the case in my GTV6 when it acted like yours.

TerryJ · #15 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:59 AM

Chasgtv6 has a point I forgot that a year ago that I had a series of where the car would randomly quit on me. I checked everything and then on a quess ( and a wishas I did not want to to replace the ignition switch!!) rplaced all of the fuses. The randomly cutting out of the engine has not occurred again. Worst case it is pretty cheap to replace the fuses! Terry