IS My HID Distributor going Bad? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

summerj · 07-15-2012, 03:45 PM

Just recently there is a 4-5 second delay with the shut off when I turn the key off on my 350 ci /Hid equipped distributor. I have also noticed the tach is going haywire. It reads 3000-3500RPM at idle when it should read 700-900 RPM. Has anyone else had issues wit the stock early 80's style GM/ HID distributors?

The only changes that I made recently...I did install an electric fan . (draws 30 amps,have a new 105 amp new alternator.)

LostMy65 · 07-15-2012, 03:50 PM

I had an issue recently when moving some wires, where the truck (with HEI) would keep running after I turned the ignition off.
I somehow changed the connection to an always Hot lead.

I moved the wire going to the HEI to a connection that died when I turn the ignition switch off. That solved my problem.

LostMy65 · 07-15-2012, 03:54 PM

Also, if you just changed the alternator, it may be wired now where it is causing a loop back to the ignition.
There's a thread here that mentions the alternator can feed back to the ignition even when the ignition is off in some wiring cases.

The way I tested mine was I disconnected the alternator connections and yet the truck kept running.
- That's how I eliminated the concern that it had anything to do with the alternator.

jchav62 · 07-16-2012, 05:03 PM

Disconnect your electric fan and see if the problem goes away.

bama63 · 07-19-2012, 09:18 PM

if its a one wire alternator i have seen them feed back and cause the engine to continue to run explained here http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...evymain2.shtml

summerj · 07-20-2012, 04:56 PM

Thanks everyone for all of your help. Here is what I did to correct the problem: I wired in a 30 amp relay to the fan straight to the battery. I then ran a toggle switch to the dash so that I can manually control the cooling fan. problem solved. I think the draw from the electric cooling fan was interfering with my gauges ,HEI distributor etc when I had it tied into my fuse pannel. As soon as a shortend the length on the load side of the fan 12ga. wire- the tachometer read correctly and the ignition turned to the off position immediately killed the motor.

Now I just need to figure out why my temp guage is off so much? New gauges matching sending units etc. When I shoot the sending unit with my thermal gun- My temp gauge shows a 15 -20 degree error. I have the sending unit screwed right in next to the thermos stat .

07-15-2012, 03:45 PM	#1
summerj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Orlando,Fl. Posts: 107	IS My HID Distributor going Bad? Just recently there is a 4-5 second delay with the shut off when I turn the key off on my 350 ci /Hid equipped distributor. I have also noticed the tach is going haywire. It reads 3000-3500RPM at idle when it should read 700-900 RPM. Has anyone else had issues wit the stock early 80's style GM/ HID distributors? The only changes that I made recently...I did install an electric fan . (draws 30 amps,have a new 105 amp new alternator.)

07-15-2012, 03:50 PM	#2
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,525	Re: IS My HID Distributor going Bad? I had an issue recently when moving some wires, where the truck (with HEI) would keep running after I turned the ignition off. I somehow changed the connection to an always Hot lead. I moved the wire going to the HEI to a connection that died when I turn the ignition switch off. That solved my problem. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

07-15-2012, 03:54 PM	#3
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,525	Re: IS My HID Distributor going Bad? Also, if you just changed the alternator, it may be wired now where it is causing a loop back to the ignition. There's a thread here that mentions the alternator can feed back to the ignition even when the ignition is off in some wiring cases. The way I tested mine was I disconnected the alternator connections and yet the truck kept running. - That's how I eliminated the concern that it had anything to do with the alternator. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

07-16-2012, 05:03 PM	#4
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: IS My HID Distributor going Bad? Disconnect your electric fan and see if the problem goes away. __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

07-19-2012, 09:18 PM	#5
bama63 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: gadsden, alabama Posts: 468	Re: IS My HID Distributor going Bad? if its a one wire alternator i have seen them feed back and cause the engine to continue to run explained here http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...evymain2.shtml __________________ Due to financial constraints, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut off until further notice Last edited by bama63; 07-19-2012 at 09:24 PM.

07-20-2012, 04:56 PM	#6
summerj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Orlando,Fl. Posts: 107	Re: IS My HID Distributor going Bad? Thanks everyone for all of your help. Here is what I did to correct the problem: I wired in a 30 amp relay to the fan straight to the battery. I then ran a toggle switch to the dash so that I can manually control the cooling fan. problem solved. I think the draw from the electric cooling fan was interfering with my gauges ,HEI distributor etc when I had it tied into my fuse pannel. As soon as a shortend the length on the load side of the fan 12ga. wire- the tachometer read correctly and the ignition turned to the off position immediately killed the motor. Now I just need to figure out why my temp guage is off so much? New gauges matching sending units etc. When I shoot the sending unit with my thermal gun- My temp gauge shows a 15 -20 degree error. I have the sending unit screwed right in next to the thermos stat .



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