1979 Fairmont 2.3 Stalls and will not start back up

I have a 79 Sedan with a 2.3 4cylinder in it. I take it out for a drive and get a few miles form home and it leaves me stranded. Tow it home and let it sit overnight and it starts right up. Starts and runs every time I want to just move it around in the yard., but if I want to go anywhere of any distance it just quits running. I am steering towards and bad ignition module box on the fender, but not sure thats it. I have installed a new coil and has not changed the issue. Any ideas?

Usually when the factory ignition box starts to go, the car will run ok for a little while. The box will start to heat up, then will shut off. It almost acts like you turned the key off. It might also spit and sputter before it dies. I think you can have the box checked before you just go out and buy a new one.

z7turbo wrote:

Usually when the factory ignition box starts to go, the car will run ok for a little while. The box will start to heat up, then will shut off. It almost acts like you turned the key off. It might also spit and sputter before it dies. I think you can have the box checked before you just go out and buy a new one.

That is exactly how it is acting. Just like the key gets shut off and nothing. Sometimes it spits and sputters first like it is out of gas and then it just dies. The problem with getting the box checked, not sure if anybody around here wants anything to do with a car that old. Are all the boxes the same from 4-6-8 cylinders?

z7turbo wrote:

Usually when the factory ignition box starts to go, the car will run ok for a little while. The box will start to heat up, then will shut off. It almost acts like you turned the key off. It might also spit and sputter before it dies. I think you can have the box checked before you just go out and buy a new one.

Just called my local NAPA and they still carry the boxes on hand yet just need to know the color insulator that the wires go through and number of plug ends. Prices from $30.00 to $70.00 depending on whether I want economy or premium. Time to look back under the hood and remove it to see what I got. If $30.00 or even $70.00 will put it back on the road again, what a cheap fix. Crossing my fingers on that.

Not sure about the problem but I can chime in on if the box is interchangeable. It is. Cause I was curious one day and tried an extra one from our Bronco. Same plug and everything, and it has a 351W under the hood and my Zephyr has the 2.3. Just a little FYI...

fox81 wrote:

Not sure about the problem but I can chime in on if the box is interchangeable. It is. Cause I was curious one day and tried an extra one from our Bronco. Same plug and everything, and it has a 351W under the hood and my Zephyr has the 2.3. Just a little FYI...

Thats good to know as I have 2 parts cars that have boxes in them. The I was told by the local NAPA that I needed to know the color of the insulator that the wires go through. Well my 2.3 in white and the 2 boxes I have are blue. One that I have is for the 3.3 6cyl and the other is blue for a 302. The plugs are the same so I may give it a shot. Whats the worst that can happen right. Besides if it will save me $30-$70 it is worth a try.

FAIRMONTNUT2 wrote:

fox81 wrote:

Not sure about the problem but I can chime in on if the box is interchangeable. It is. Cause I was curious one day and tried an extra one from our Bronco. Same plug and everything, and it has a 351W under the hood and my Zephyr has the 2.3. Just a little FYI...

Thats good to know as I have 2 parts cars that have boxes in them. The I was told by the local NAPA that I needed to know the color of the insulator that the wires go through. Well my 2.3 in white and the 2 boxes I have are blue. One that I have is for the 3.3 6cyl and the other is blue for a 302. The plugs are the same so I may give it a shot. Whats the worst that can happen right. Besides if it will save me $30-$70 it is worth a try.

I've had blue boxes on both 2.3's and the i6 motors....the blue should work.

z7turbo wrote:

FAIRMONTNUT2 wrote:

fox81 wrote:

Not sure about the problem but I can chime in on if the box is interchangeable. It is. Cause I was curious one day and tried an extra one from our Bronco. Same plug and everything, and it has a 351W under the hood and my Zephyr has the 2.3. Just a little FYI...

Thats good to know as I have 2 parts cars that have boxes in them. The I was told by the local NAPA that I needed to know the color of the insulator that the wires go through. Well my 2.3 in white and the 2 boxes I have are blue. One that I have is for the 3.3 6cyl and the other is blue for a 302. The plugs are the same so I may give it a shot. Whats the worst that can happen right. Besides if it will save me $30-$70 it is worth a try.

I've had blue boxes on both 2.3's and the i6 motors....the blue should work.

That is great to know that the blue ones will work. Thanks