weird problems

[The Wizard Of Z]

well recently, like as of today, my z started acting really weird, i turned my car on today and let it warm up alittle, everything is running fine and smooth, all gauges read great, no over heating, nothing at all, sounds smooth, then all the sudden it almost dies, like as if the battery is running low or something, it starts to try and shut off like every 3 mins or so, the battery is fine, the altenator is brand new, im thinking maybe theres a chance its the silinoid, ive been having problems with it in the last 4 months, i would drive my car somewhere and then shut off , then try to turn it right back on and nothing, it just sits there, no noise or anything not even it trying to start, i have to go into the engine and tap on the silinoid and then it will start, so i know i have to replace it, but i think my car trying to die mite have something to do with this, least i hope, anyone have any ideas or similiar problems with this?

[zeiss150]

I can tell you with 99% certanty that it's not the starter solinoid. the solinoid is only a problem at start, once the car is started the solinoid just sits there. It sound like you're haveing either a fuel pressure problem or maybe a spark problem. is it carb'ed or fuel injection... does it start to sputter and then rev fine when you hit the gas peddel, or does it just die no matter what you do? check your spark and you're fuel, when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? the Z tanks can get lots of rust and crap in the gas tank and when it runs for a bit it sucks all that crap into the filter and then ... no gas! by the way is your gas tank at a 1/4 of a tank or lower? check out some of this stuff and see where it takes you.

Rock on Z people.

[Marty Rogan]

I can tell you with 99% certanty that it's not the starter solinoid. the solinoid is only a problem at start, once the car is started the solinoid just sits there. It sound like you're haveing either a fuel pressure problem or maybe a spark problem. is it carb'ed or fuel injection... does it start to sputter and then rev fine when you hit the gas peddel, or does it just die no matter what you do? check your spark and you're fuel, when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? the Z tanks can get lots of rust and crap in the gas tank and when it runs for a bit it sucks all that crap into the filter and then ... no gas! by the way is your gas tank at a 1/4 of a tank or lower? check out some of this stuff and see where it takes you.

Rock on Z people.

Also, you mentioned that the alternator is new. Did you change the voltage regulator (if you still use it) also? It is best to replace both at the same time. A lot of the time, one fails after you change the other.

Marty

[naviathan]

Looks like a 240, but I can't be for sure as it's very well modded. Nice looking Z. Anyhow, if you're running EFI check the temp sensor. Depending on the year of the engine it will be either in thermostat houseing or between cylinders 5&6 on the passengers side. Clean the connection real good. If you're carbed, you might have a vacuum leak. Could be the coil going bad and it only acts up when it gets hot. Help us narrowthis down because it doesn't sound like a solenoid problem...