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Van keeps losing all power randomly?
#729785 November 14th 2017 11:36 am
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Anyone got any ideas? 78 g20 with stock 350. Runs great except that randomly, one of two things will happen. I'll come out to it and it won't start. Starter motor sounds fine. Has a new alternator and battery and belts. It just won't start. Then I'll come out to it 15 mins or an hour later and it'll start right up.

Then the really irritating one: when driving at low speeds, particularly when making tight low speed turns like a u turn, it will just cut off. Loss of power to the engine but not to the lights etc. Again, if I wait and keep trying to start it, it will start again just like normal. Sometimes 5 mins later, sometimes 20, sometimes 2 hours later.

The only thing I can figure is a loose wire somewhere. At some point someone put a security system in it which is not currently hooked up. Any ideas?

Last edited by nomadgames; November 14th 2017 11:37 am.
Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729787 November 14th 2017 12:11 pm
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Battery cables & ground straps ...


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
frscke1 #729790 November 14th 2017 2:14 pm
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In a points distributor, a bad condenser will cause a no start. I know GM had HEI long before 78. Not sure if there is one in there or not.

Check for spark when it's not starting.
Plus the basics, like frscke1 said.

I know on the later models, there is somd kind of funky failure in the column.
Good Wrenching Nomadgames!


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Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
frscke1 #729797 November 14th 2017 4:09 pm
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Originally Posted by frscke1
Battery cables & ground straps ...



I'll check. It doesn't lose power to the lights or dash or starter tho. Just to the engine.

Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729801 November 14th 2017 7:52 pm
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There is a broken or corroded wire or connection somewhere .... it might look good outside but inside not so much. Start it up go under the hood & move some wires. Check the wiring at the starter.

It may be your fuse box ...

Get a multi meter start pokin around

Last edited by frscke1; November 14th 2017 8:27 pm.

SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729802 November 14th 2017 9:00 pm
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Will do.

Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729803 November 14th 2017 9:19 pm
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It could be your ing switch .... is the key on the column or dash ? The column has more chance of error than the dash type.


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729804 November 14th 2017 9:52 pm
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Get a spare coil. When it won't start, check for spark at the plug. if none, wiggle/retighten all wires associated with the coil. If still nothing, swap the coil. THe internal windings can do funny stuff.

Last edited by Hasan Ben Sobar; November 14th 2017 9:53 pm.

Tucson-it's a dry heat...like an oven
Re: Van keeps losing all power randomly?
nomadgames #729805 November 15th 2017 12:07 am
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Also check for corrosion any where there is a connector.

I’ve chased similar gremlins all over a vehicle only to figure out some moisture got into a group of connectors and corrosion gave it an intermittent problem. Clean the connections and apply dielectric grease.

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