[83snocommander]

hey guys- what do ya think this is- 83 pickup sno-commander, 318 2bbl, newer 100amp alt, bypassed all vital gauges in dash(temp, oil, amp) put in mechanical gauge pod(temp, oil, volt) and everthing works fine(installed last summer). About 3 yrs ago i swapped the cab, removed the rusted out 83 cab and put a 90 cab on. used all 83 wiring in dash under hood everthing is basically 83 exept for 90 cab shell(only cost 150). also replaced all relays under hood(start run, voltage reg, module all new exept ballast resistor)
ok to the problem- last winter when plowing, when truck got hot, would stall and i had wait 5-10-15 minutes she would fire right up and run great, happened 2-3x. ok I had another module so i swapped it cause i figured htat was it. didnt really snow again, dont relly use the truck everyday, but every time i used it since she ran fine.
this brings me to couple of days ago i knew it was going to snow so i fired her up ran a couple of errand she ran great, wednesday- snowed like a bitch, went to start her up, nothing just cranked, not getting really good spark at plugs, so put in new coil and plugs, fired right up. pplowed my driveway drove about 15 minutes away pulled into another driveway to plow- stalled- 10 min later fired right up, plowed for about 1/2 hr(long driveway/street) started to go home- 15 min away- everytime took my foot off the gas felt like she was going to stall- some popping, weasing, backfiring- got to a red light -stalled- 25 minutes later fired right up drove home, parked it haven't touched it since.
ok- Module? Ballast Resistor(limits spark)? Bad Ground? any ideas you guys have would be great, considering dumping some gas on it and have a barbecue mid winter!!!!!!!!!!
thanks- pete

 

[chrysler300le]

Might check and see how many volts are getting to your coil when its in run position. see how many is there during start position. Also check the ohms of your ballast resistor. Also would check all grounds and make sure they aren't corroded or rusty.

 

[Chump]

I dont think your ballast resistor is your problem but replace it anyway($4) to eliminate another problem area...I replace them every year when I do a tune up. The ballast is bypassed during "start" so that you get a full 12 volts to the coil...this is assuming the wiring is factory original. Check for 12 volts at the coil with the key in the "start" position. As far as the module goes...it gets it's ground through the metal case, so take it off and make sure the case and the fender where it mounts are squeeky clean...a light sanding may help. The 5 pin connector that attaches to the module may have a bad connection, pull it off and clean the terminals inside the plug. You also could have a problem with the pick-up assembly in the distributor, pull the connector/s apart that go to the distributor and clean them. Also ohm out the pick up and it should read between 150 and 900 ohms...although this may not indicate possible broken wire strands that go to the connector. Pull the cap and rotor and make sure they are clean and spray them and the inside of the distributor with some WD-40. Also use a tiny amount of dielectric grease on any connections you clean, this will help keep mosture out. I see you are from Newburgh...I grew up around Ireland Corners between Modena and Gardiner.

 

[Ron C]

try the coil if it gets to hot it will break down and quit when it cools off it will work again. if this is it it's on it's way out needs to be replaced.

 

[cutthroat]

I've had two bad Mopar Orange Boxs with symptoms similar to yours.
The first would fail only when it was hot. The second didn't care(totally random failures).
Unfortunately I threw away the original that had been on the truck for over 180,000 miles. I now have an Autozone ECU on the truck & a NAPA ECU in the on board tool box plus a spare reluctor, coil, & ballast resistor.
I've connected a #10 solid copper wire from the ECU to the Voltage Regulator & from the VR to the battery Gnd.
Make sure you have a good ground from the battery to the radiator support as well as the heavy ground cable to the engine block.
Good Luck! I've gone through that crap for two years. (Knock on wood).

 

[83snocommander]

thanks for the ideas-options guys. i havent had a chance to look at truck, will try to get to it this weekend and will keep you updated. Chump- NY to CO big move!