Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2112 · 03-20-2021, 04:42 PM

I have been having an issue with my 72 c10 with a 307 and 2 barrel carb. It will start up fine and run great until it gets up to temperature. After a few minutes it just shuts off. If I try to start it again the ignition is dead and acts like the battery is dead. After a few hours it will start right up no problems and shut off again after a few minutes. Seems like something is shutting down once it gets warm. Anyone have an idea as to what it could be? Thanks for the help!

Willys_MB · 03-20-2021, 05:36 PM

Could be vapor lock, but if you have an HEI when they’re going bad (not just the module) they mimic vapor lock issues. I’m sure more people will chime in with other possibilities, but if you have an HEI, pull it and check all the parameters.

**landarts** · 03-20-2021, 05:47 PM

Sounds like possible heat soak causing starter to not fire.

Willys_MB · 03-20-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landarts

Sounds like possible heat soak causing starter to not fire.

That’s a good point, I must have skipped the dead battery part on my first read through. That shouldn’t kill the engine, though, so it could be multiple issues happening at once.

**Sheepdip** · 03-20-2021, 05:50 PM

Next time it does that make sure it is in park or neutral e-brake set then take a screw driver and jump the starter solenoid and see if it cranks over. Also check your starter solenoid connections to make sure they are all tight. If that's good go to your ignition switch and test it
With the dead battery issue it sounds like heat is causing a contact separation some where.

2112 · 03-20-2021, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. It does have HEI but I will check the starter first and work my way back to the ignition to see if I can find the problem.

**BigBird05** · 03-20-2021, 10:17 PM

When it dies and acts like a dead battery, Turn on the head lamps. If they come on then it sounds like it might be a ign switch problem. Start your diagnostics from there.

franken · 03-21-2021, 01:57 AM

There are multiple odd issues. Start with one, probably the cranking (starter turning the engine), solve that, then move to the ignition, etc.
Saves brain cells

**Sheepdip** · 03-21-2021, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2112

Thanks for the feedback guys. It does have HEI but I will check the starter first and work my way back to the ignition to see if I can find the problem.

Does the HEI have a FULL 12 VOLTS to it?

**tjc** · 03-21-2021, 11:23 AM

are you using the Pertronix ignition?

68 P.O.S. · 03-21-2021, 11:59 AM

What carb are you running? What's your timing set at?

**HO455** · 03-21-2021, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2112

I have been having an issue with my 72 c10 with a 307 and 2 barrel carb. It will start up fine and run great until it gets up to temperature. After a few minutes it just shuts off. If I try to start it again the ignition is dead and acts like the battery is dead. After a few hours it will start right up no problems and shut off again after a few minutes. Seems like something is shutting down once it gets warm. Anyone have an idea as to what it could be? Thanks for the help!

When it dies there are some things to check.
Does it have spark? Check it with a plug grounded or a spark tester.
No spark. Check voltage to the distributor.
Good voltage. Then pull the coil from the cap and inspect the condition of the connectors. While there take ohm readings on the coil. But remember they may indicate good once the coil has cooled.
I would then inspect the interior of the distributor and if nothing stands out then would test the pickup coil. Disconect the coil and with an ohm meter check each lead to ground. Should be infinite resistance. Then check continuity between the leads it should not be zero but somewhere between zero and infinity. The hard part of this test is that once the coil has cooled it may test okay. The same thing with the HEI control module.

Some links that may help you. And like everything on the internet suspect.

https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/h...-distributors/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...module.706237/

If you have spark then check for fuel in the float bowl by winging the throttle while looking down the carburetor. You should see a stream of fuel being shot into the engine every time you wing the throttle. If not then you have a fuel supply problem.
If you have fuel and spark then it is time to look for a carburetor problem.

Good luck and keep us apprised of your results.

toolboxchev · 03-21-2021, 07:14 PM

I am suspect too the distributor also, HEI yup. Ignition Module or Coil, yup.

No way that I am aware of to test the module other than a "No Spark Issue" under the heated condition. The article listed below says the auto parts store can test a module but I highly doubt it considering the ways of todays world. Use a known good unit.

Coil on the other hand can go bad and testable very easily. I had an Accel unit that was only about 50 ohms out of spec and it was doing all kinds of stupid crap.

Use this:http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...or&redirect=no

Let us know what you find out. Diagnosis the proper way is always least costly instead of throwing parts at it.

03-20-2021, 04:42 PM	#1
2112 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 48	Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? I have been having an issue with my 72 c10 with a 307 and 2 barrel carb. It will start up fine and run great until it gets up to temperature. After a few minutes it just shuts off. If I try to start it again the ignition is dead and acts like the battery is dead. After a few hours it will start right up no problems and shut off again after a few minutes. Seems like something is shutting down once it gets warm. Anyone have an idea as to what it could be? Thanks for the help! __________________ 1972 Chevy c10 1985 Buick Grand National 1951 Crosley 1941 Cadillac

03-20-2021, 05:36 PM	#2
Willys_MB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 856	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? Could be vapor lock, but if you have an HEI when they’re going bad (not just the module) they mimic vapor lock issues. I’m sure more people will chime in with other possibilities, but if you have an HEI, pull it and check all the parameters. __________________ 1968 GMC C2500 Long Bed Fleetside

03-20-2021, 05:47 PM	#3
landarts landarts Join Date: May 2005 Location: Star, Idaho Posts: 1,339	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? Sounds like possible heat soak causing starter to not fire. __________________ Super Cheyenne aka the "Devil Cowboy" 71 K20 Idaho Edition 69 K10 from the Field 68 Second Chance Fix and Sale 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 K2500 The "Fixrupr" build thread 72 Cheyenne 1/2 ton " FIXRUPR " - daily driver 67 C20 all original paint 71 K20 Custom 4x4 (Idaho Edition) 72 K20 GMC Super Custom 4x4 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 69 K10 Custom package 4x4 (69 K10 from the field) 72 K10 Custom 71 K10 Custom 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 72 K20 Crew Cab Project 71 GMC Jimmy CST 72 Blazer 70 Blazer

03-20-2021, 05:50 PM	#5
Sheepdip Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Waterford California Posts: 2,388	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? Next time it does that make sure it is in park or neutral e-brake set then take a screw driver and jump the starter solenoid and see if it cranks over. Also check your starter solenoid connections to make sure they are all tight. If that's good go to your ignition switch and test it With the dead battery issue it sounds like heat is causing a contact separation some where.

03-20-2021, 09:55 PM	#6
2112 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 48	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? Thanks for the feedback guys. It does have HEI but I will check the starter first and work my way back to the ignition to see if I can find the problem. __________________ 1972 Chevy c10 1985 Buick Grand National 1951 Crosley 1941 Cadillac

03-20-2021, 10:17 PM	#7
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? When it dies and acts like a dead battery, Turn on the head lamps. If they come on then it sounds like it might be a ign switch problem. Start your diagnostics from there.

03-21-2021, 01:57 AM	#8
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,055	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? There are multiple odd issues. Start with one, probably the cranking (starter turning the engine), solve that, then move to the ignition, etc. Saves brain cells

03-21-2021, 11:23 AM	#10
tjc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: burlington,iowa Posts: 437	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? are you using the Pertronix ignition? __________________ Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon

03-21-2021, 11:59 AM	#11
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,661	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? What carb are you running? What's your timing set at? __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

03-21-2021, 07:14 PM	#13
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Truck Dies after 15 minutes?? I am suspect too the distributor also, HEI yup. Ignition Module or Coil, yup. No way that I am aware of to test the module other than a "No Spark Issue" under the heated condition. The article listed below says the auto parts store can test a module but I highly doubt it considering the ways of todays world. Use a known good unit. Coil on the other hand can go bad and testable very easily. I had an Accel unit that was only about 50 ohms out of spec and it was doing all kinds of stupid crap. Use this:http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...or&redirect=no Let us know what you find out. Diagnosis the proper way is always least costly instead of throwing parts at it.



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