Weird issue...what the heck...I need help

[roll_the_dice]

OK, so truck runs great...90% of the time except when I make a left turn. Weird I know. It will cut off completely when making a left turn. When I make right hand turns it is fine. I know it has to be a wiring issues (I think) where a wire is hitting something and shorting out the fuel pump or something else to make it cut off. Any ideas on the easiest way to track it down? If I sit in my driveway and turn the wheel left it does not cut off only when it is rolling...if that helps. Not fun driving and turning across traffic to cut off...any help or ideas are welcome.

[geezer#99]

What carb?
What distributor?

[roll_the_dice]

Oops...good question..

Holley Sniper EFI with an HEI distributor

[bhap]

Have you done any wiring lately? Added or changed anything? I usually suspect the last thing I did as a likely cause.. Do all of your electrical items work? I added an HEI to my 235 and the connectors on the coil were a bit suspect - they were made for a F*rd. I could see plug wires swaying and pushing something off.. wires at the ignition switch in dash.. maybe let it idle and start poking around your wires with a stick.. good luck - intermittent problems are the worst..

[geezer#99]

What type of connector on the hei battery terminal?
Stock type or spade connector?

[roll_the_dice]

Last thing I added was an original dash clock. Everything works as it should...all lights, cigar lighter, a/c, etc.

Here is the picture of the battery connector on the distributor...the pink wire. I suppose it might be doing something weird when I turn.

[geezer#99]

I had one that would short out from the bat to the tach connector.
Check to see if the connectors wiggle a bit.


How much movement does your motor have?
Could be motor moves hard right and pulls or shorts a connector.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I had one that would short out from the bat to the tach connector.
Check to see if the connectors wiggle a bit.


How much movement does your motor have?
Could be motor moves hard right and pulls or shorts a connector.

Thanks, I will check the bat to tach connector...

I don't think it has much movement, but will double check. The tach connector seems like a good place to start!

[AcampoDave]

I had a 70's GM column drive me batty for a bit because the ignition switch was worn out. Those have the electrical part on the column tube closer to the firewall and twisting the key pulls a rod which slides the contact part back and forth. At first I thought it was the neutral safety switch but after bypassing that, I found the bad contact in the ignition switch.

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Oops...good question..

Holley Sniper EFI with an HEI distributor

Are you using your original tank? Could you be losing fuel pressure? Is the tank full of gas when it happens?

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by nsb29

Are you using your original tank? Could you be losing fuel pressure? Is the tank full of gas when it happens?

good point..if you are using the stock tank is it baffled?

[oem4me]

My vote goes to fickle wiring or loose connection somewhere. Similarly, I once had an issue with power occasionally cutting out upon acceleration. I assumed it was carb/fuel related for a long time, before discovering a loose terminal at the coil. Easiest fix ever.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by oem4me

My vote goes to fickle wiring or loose connection somewhere. Similarly, I once had an issue with power occasionally cutting out upon acceleration. I assumed it was carb/fuel related for a long time, before discovering a loose terminal at the coil. Easiest fix ever.

Hopefully we have a winner! It finally stopped raining long enough for me to check into it. I started at the distributor and the and pulled the coil terminal off and it did not seem as tight as it should have been. I took off the plastic lock housing (whatever it is called) and tried to connect it to see how tight it was...was loose. So I cut off the terminal and crimped a new one on and it was MUCH tighter. Cranked it (after remembering to turn on my kill switch!) and took it for a spin around the block...as many left turns as I could (3) and then went around a cul-de-sac in full left turn and it didn't hesitate or cut off once. I will keep watching it and if it doesn't do it anymore, I deem it fixed. If not, I will look at other wires. Hopefully like oem4me it will be the easiest most frustrating fix ever!

Thanks for all the replies! I knew I could count on this board to help!! Best board ever....hopefully this thread will help someone in the future too.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by nsb29

Are you using your original tank? Could you be losing fuel pressure? Is the tank full of gas when it happens?

Originally Posted by slepysal

good point..if you are using the stock tank is it baffled?

Using a Boyd welding tank that is baffled...but that is good to know for future builds!

[vince1]

My dad used to tell the story of how his 36 Chev truck would sometimes quit at the same intersection on Jasper ave in Edmonton. He eventually found a loose wire on the ignition switch. He just turned 99.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by vince1

My dad used to tell the story of how his 36 Chev truck would sometimes quit at the same intersection on Jasper ave in Edmonton. He eventually found a loose wire on the ignition switch. He just turned 99.

That's fantastic ...the same intersection...priceless. Awesome that he is 99 years young...hope he still loves trucks!

[roll_the_dice]

I deem my truck fixed and running great! Took it for a 30 minute drive and no issues...then drove it to Church yesterday with no issues! WOOHOO!

[The Rocknrod]

Good to hear.

[slepysal]

outstanding