Stalling, no-start problems help engine shuts off stalls

My Grandparents have an 83 scotttsdale. and it is not firing. they sent it to a repair shop. and now it is doing the same thing. I called them and they said to bring it back down and they will fix it again. they said it was a broken wire,and I can't find were they even worked on the truck. Help me! I just think he is tring to rip them off. I put new wires on the motor and they have changed some of them(spark plug).

thank you

I would suspect either:

1) Electronic ignition module
2) Ignition pickup coil
3) Ignition coil itself

Any of these can cause intermittant no-spark failure: the module through electronic component failure, the ignition and pickup coils through shorts to ground or opens.

Often on the more annoying "never messes up while I'm looking at it" vehicles I'll just rebuild the distributor and replace all three parts.

George

I HAVE A 1985 FORD TEMPO AND THE DAM THING WONT START. I THINK THE BATTERY IS DEAD. ALL THE ENGINE DOES IS GO RRRRRRRR AND IT WONT START. THANKS FROM THIS CAR OWNER. OK! Some quick DIY quick tests: You probably have either a fuel supply problem or a no spark problem. A valve timing problem (broken timing chain or belt) is unlikely because the Tempo/Topaz motors have a very heavy duty timing chain which I have never seen fail. TEST 1 (non-risky) Get a friend to sit in the driver's seat. Go to the gas filler cap. Remove the cap and listen to the open gas filler pipe. Have the friend turn the ignition switch on, but don't turn the engine over ( the rrrrrr sound ). You should hear a whiring sound from the gas tank for a few seconds, then it should stop. This is the electric fuel pump running. No whirring sound, no running fuel pump. This means your fuel pump is either bad, or the relay powering it is bad, or the computer which runs the relay is bad, etc. TEST 2 (deadly if you have a pacemaker, otherwise unpleasant if you get a shock: careful now!!!) Remove a spark plug wire. Insert a screwdriver or other metal object in the plug wire end. Hold this wire about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from a metal part of the engine. Have the friend turn the motor over. (making the rrrrr sound). There should be a nice blue spark jumping off the screwdriver to the engine metal part (pick a part: any part).
CAREFUL!!!! IT CAN BITE!!!!!!!!!!!!
No spark can be from a bad coil, rotor, distributor cap, electronic igniiton module, pickup coil assy., or wiring defect.
If you're in the Gainesville Florida area, we look for free................

George

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Thank you for visiting the ECONOMECHANIX WEB SITE. Please feel free to comment. We also serve the surrounding communities of Alachua, High Springs, Hawthorne, and Newberry! Gainesville has been my home since 1974, and I've loved Gvl and the Gators since I came here in the fall of 1974 to attend the University of Florida. I loved it so much I stayed and opened my car repair business. Originally it was out of the back of a 1963 Chevrolet wagon, but in 1977 a fellow mechanic and I opened an auto repair shop with actual walls, etc. I stayed in the same location for 26 years, and recently moved my operation to property I bought 15 miles east of Gainesville. I am doing most all the repairs myself now, having reduced my overhead from $1500 per month to practically nothing. I do work by appointment only. I mostly work only on my established customers cars, but I will occasionally take on new clients. E-mail me and I will either make arrangements to look at your car, or I will recommend you to someone who will.

George G. Scott, Jr.

Stalling problems, engine dies