Yenko Deuce Nova

We are curious if anyone else has experienced something similar where my son's '01 T/A will essentially shut off for a split second, every one of the dash lights illuminates and the gauge needles go to zero - but only on a dead hook at a drag strip, it will not do this on the street since it just blows the tires off. Also, if you leave at 2k at the track but only give it half throttle, everything functions as normal. All of the wiring has been checked, and rechecked - and grounds. Fuel tank is full. The car has been tuned multiple times, 420HP to the tire on a Mustang Dyno, no engine codes. Hopefully the video attaches...(it won't, says it is too large of a file), so here's a screen shot from the video

Details:

• 2001 Trans Am, RA, WS6, 4A, 68k miles
• Short installed over the Winter with some mods:
  
  
  • TSP Torquer V2
  • Original 241 heads and valves, but ported / polished by prof shop
  • BTR double spring kit, trunions done
  • 36 or 38# injectors
  • Aeromotive fuel pump and wiring kit
  • Removed EGR & MAF, added an SLP air box and bellows
  • New MAP, pushrods, and all other supporting mods(oil pump, LS7 lifters, etc)
  • TSP long tubes, ORY, cat delete - all new exhaust
  • Tuned in speed density
  • New battery, starter and alternator
• Trans replaced over the Winter:
  • Performabuilt Level 2 4l60e
  • FTI SRL 3600
  • New SFI flywheel
• Stock rear end 3.23 gears

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Thread was in limbo. I approved.

Yenko Deuce Nova

Thank you, much appreciated!

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

I once had my car shut down all the gauges on a left hand turn into my road. Only did it one time.

My 08 Ford Van had a gauge issue and it turned out to be the connector going into the cluster.

MY_2K_Z

iTrader: (1)

Battery is rocking back and shorting out on the accumulator

jlangley

iTrader: (8)

This

The positive post lines right up. Check the hold down clamp for the battery.

Yenko Deuce Nova

Check. Battery is rock solid tight, will check again though....

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

About 1500 miles later I had an alternator go bad. Not sure if it was related to the gauges losing power.

Ace111799

iTrader: (6)

My 2010 Silverado used to do this time to time. Be driving along and for a split second would loose all power. Lights and everything would go off and back on immediately, the engine even would keep running. Ended up being the battery cables. Something with internal corrosion that you couldn't see by visual inspection. Replaced several years ago, no problem since.

98cherrySS

iTrader: (2)

Sub'd. I've had this happen to me once as well but while cruising normally.

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

I was all for the battery post comments above, but I have also had a ground wire on the back of the head break loose from the ring lug. During normal driving it would make contact and and be fine, but as soon as you hit a big bump or launched it would shut the car off momentarily. Check those grounds....

Yenko Deuce Nova

Thanks all, good advice. We are going to replace both battery cables, something is not happy when the car rocks back at the hit - and at this point, its less about the $$ to fix it vs alleviating the frustration!

As soon as this thing does hook, I bet it spits the factory rear - but we'll deal with that when it happens.....

Yenko Deuce Nova

So, I checked it again tonight....battery hold down is 100% tight - but, I also checked the accumulator!! You guys were correct, the battery is indeed rocking back to the point where the positive post shorts out against the metal band on the accumulator. I started it up, and....yep! The RCA is that the front edge of the battery tray is snapped almost completely off. This allows the hold down to be tight, yet the battery can still rock back.

This is my son's car, and he's touring Germany right now with his High School German Class - he will hardly be able to contain himself, he'll want to race this thing as soon as he gets back!

Thanks everyone!

G Atsma

ARC-a-licious! Glad you found the culprit!

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

Wow, didn't know it could do that.

Yenko Deuce Nova

Yep, this car is just one surprise after another - we didn't think this could happen from sitting in the rain all day either....

Yenko Deuce Nova

I made a hold down bracket out of some flat stock aluminum that I had in my stash, this should keep everything in place!

kott0n

Thanks for following up, glad it was an easy fix.