I recently bought an '83 eagle wagon and I am learning that I have quite a few kinks to work out. Here are the symptoms:
- Starts right up but dies as soon as I shift it into gear.
- If it hasn't been warmed up thoroughly, it is not uncommon for it do die at an idle as well.
- The whole vehicle shimmies when I shut it off and acts like it wants to start back up again. Takes a bit for it to actually turn off.
Contributing Factors?
- Electric choke does not work.
- The vacuum hoses are a snarled up mess. Some are plugged off, some are just not connected at all.
- I do not know when the last time the carb was cleaned out or replaced.
Any diagnosis? Thanks.
is the timeing correct? that would make one or two symptoms,,possible that advance is not getting vacumme,,other wise yep vacumme leaks/misrouting,,and possible carb problem,,sounds like choke anyway,,and to chime in is there and vacumme diagrms anywhere? maybe a basic it'll run right and these add 4X4 and those for heat?,,
How do I check the timing? I was able to track down a vacuum diagram on Eaglepedia that looks like it should make things a little easier. Much easier than the tiny one on my car. Where should I start? Timing, vacuum, carburetor?
I would sort out the vacuum mess first. Yes, I think we have most of the engine vacuum diagrams in the AMC Eaglepedia.
timeing is easy to check,,but i have to agree on the vacume lines being done first,,seeins the spark advance is vacume operated,,i cant say for sure on amc engines<i am still a newbe to them,,but have 18 years turning wrentches under my belt> and please correct me if i'm wrong,,to check timeing one has to have a timeing light ,,after that its real easy,,for a check just look the spec up <underhood data plate> and unhook the vac advance <low on side of dist.>,
hook up the light find a clear spot to see the gague in the crank end <do a dry run with the engine off> and thats about it the light just hooks to battery for power and has an inductive pickup that goes on plug wire <#1>,,