Engine cuts out

Just to clarify the issue. When you say you loose all power, I assume you just mean the engine cuts off? Or do you lose electrical power as well?

I am pretty sure this is an ignition issue but we need to find out if this happens under acceleration or just cruising?

Next we need to not cycle the key and check for spark when it just cranks. Basically if turning the ignition off and back on gets it to start, we want to track down what is preventing the spark and more than likely we have a relay or solenoid issue but let's go through this and find out what comes back.

Thanks

Okay. So I understand fully. When the engine cuts out, you pop the clutch and it doesn't come back on. That points to the fact that the distributor has no power.

However, if you turn the key off and then back on it start right up? If this is the case, it may just be an ignition switch or pickup in the distributor.

If it were me, at this point I would just replace the distributor. I think you can find CJ distributors for less then a $100.00 so it is not a large investment.

Jeep looks good. Thanks for adding that.

You as well. Yes. Please keep us updated as I am curious how this works out. Thanks for the update.

Sounds like the ignition is dropping out which would be a distributor issue. If it were me I would swap that out and retest it.

However, I am going to ask another expert to jump in on this as well. His screen name is actually CJ Medevac. He owns at least one of these but I am sure he will have some valuable incite on this if I am taking you down the wrong path.

Feel free to respond or wait for him to jump in. I have not seen him on here recently so it may take a day to get a hold of him. Thanks

Hey!

This may not matter if stuff has changed.

Is this a V-6?

Or is it a 232 (3.8L) Inline 6

or a 258 (4.2 L) Inline 6?

How long will it run before it cuts out?

Does it shut off or spit and sputter first?

Does it have points or electronic ignition? There may be several types.

I'm sending 2 common types (pics) Can you verify which one you might have?

Sometimes they hide under the hood.

Can you name anything else that may be new under there?

Lastly, has it ever run perfectly for a long time for you?

The Medic

I will get back soon, I have a situation happening!

You do not have points----you have Prestolite ignition.

For right now---crank it up

Jiggle (not manhandle) your wires. Duplicate bouncing down the road. Not yanking and snatching. Even simulate "Pulling Gs" in left and right turns. Sometimes a wire may be melted or skinned and grounding out on metal.

Be gentle!

The wires coming out of a Prestolite distributor are two small solid copper wires. Tied down (helps) or not, I've seen them break and continue to have intermittent contact. Don't stop there!

Jiggle methodically everywhere, not in a race! If the engine sputters or shuts off make a note of where you jiggled!

Be aware that some of those pesky moving parts under the hood are out to get you. Be careful!

I had multiple problems with my '77s Prestolite, I finally upgraded to Duraspark (Motorcraft) which came out in 1979 in CJs, I have not had any issues since (other Jeeps I had were Motorcraft, So I knew how much better it is)

I guess my upgrade ran about $100.00, we can discuss that more in depth if its needed, Here's a link to sorta look over, yours could be slightly different. I'm not saying you must do this!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/prestolite-to-motorcraft-conversion-1976-cj7

Find something? Let me know, I may have a better way to attack it.

The Medic

Lets fish a small "zip tie" around the 2 connector halves. Sorta part the wires if possible and and go between them
to get all centered up pulled tight.

Please send a pic of exactly the loose connection so that I may verify the best fix I can come up with.

I hope you found it by jiggling!

(would you have tried this on your own?)

When folks get lost or fed up, it goes to the shop. This $5.00 to $10.00 fix may have turned into a $250.00 greedy repair. And still you would not have a clue on how to DIY your repair.

With our Jeeps being as young as they are, any connections you undo or even the fuse ends, with a 1/4 inch or so artist's paint brush, it's a good idea to coat the terminals with some "Dielectric Grease" to protect the connection. (No need in gobbing it on!)

A really good place to protect is the connecters (both the connector and the switch too) to the floor dimmer switch!

Great job AWGEEZ.

Do I get credit for the assist since I asked CJ to take a look?

Guess not.

Thanks a ton Medic.

We may have found that without your help but it would be days from now, multiple parts replaced and more then likely it would have been found on accident when he was replacing something I told him to replace.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Please come back in the future and when I see you post something, I will send it directly to Medic.

If it's unrelated to this one, might start a new question.

Glad you're running now!

Now that you are on the road and women are gawking at your Jeep, sorry, you must deal with it on a one on one basis. Each encounter may be different and like the rest of us, you are on your own!

Pic is every daily driver I've had since 1981

The Medic

KASEKENNY1,

Thanks for alerting me!

Pure enjoyment and satisfaction answering this!

There was no computer, no "Locking on their own doors", no scanner needed, no metric tools needed.

I like it!

It's hard to find CJ fixes (or older carbureted) rigs that an older feller like me can legitimately answer. New cars, Bah-Humbug!

Keep me in mind If I miss a Jeep. Give me a holler!

The Medic