My 454 Dieseled, Died, Then Nothing...

[chigley54]

I bought a 1976 Argosy 28 this past summer. On weekends when I am not taking it somewhere, I start it up and let it idle a bit until the engine has warmed up (about 10 minutes). I did that this last weekend and when I turned it off, it seriously dieseled then lost all electrical power (no dash lights, radio, nothing). My first thought was that the dieseling has caused a battery cable to come lose; alas it couldn't be that simple. Anybody have any thoughts? I am very worried about my baby.

[HowieE]

If you lost all electric power the first place I would look is the positive post on the starter. Disconnect the battery and check that connection for looseness. If loose don't tighten it but remove the cable and clean it and the stud then tighten, but not Too tight as that stud is set in plastic.

Common problem with GM engines

[bwoodtx]

There is also a power solenoid(relay) in the system that supplies power when the key is turned on. Mine was located close to my battery. If the connection is loose from the relay to the starter it will cause the problem as described.

Hope this helps.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Both good suggestions for the electrical concern.

Dieseling at shutdown...the engine is actually running bass akwards usually caused by a carbon hot spot in the cylinder.

Poor mans home Brew SeaFoam...

Blue washer solvent in a squeeze bottle.

Start 'er up, remove air cleaner, squirt a slow steady stream of blue washer solvent into carb/throttle body at an idle high enough to keeping it running for 5-10 seconds at a time. Repeat several times, road test, change oil & filter. Check timing, fresh gas.

FWIW...shut down in drive, it usually won't run-on.


Bob

[chigley54]

Thank you for all the suggestions. We checked battery connections first and they seemed tight. We'll move on from there and hope we can return life to my baby.

[ROBERT CROSS]

....turning key on and moving shifter back and forth from park to low, turn key to start and try again. I believe the electrical portion of the ignition switch is on the lower portion of the steering column. I have also seen the IPC,(instrument panel cluster), fail shutting down key function.
Are any of the gauges working, red ign light, abs light etc with key on.

Bob

[chigley54]

Absolutely nothing is working. No dash lights, warning lights, nothing. And certainly no ignition.

[HowieE]

Please check the starter terminal.

ALL POWER goes through the connection. That connection open over time because of expansion and contraction of the stud in the plastic. This causes an area for corrosion and eventually a complete open. If you can get to the input side of the distribution block, the wire coming up from the starter you can test there for voltage but I doubt you will have access to it without some trouble.

If you take the rig to a shop they will be happy to sell you a new starter after they tighten that connection.