Thought I might submit this automotive problem for your consideration. The mechanics seem puzzled by what is going on, and I figgured someone here may know what to look for. I hope my description of events below isn't too confusing.
I recently had a new carburetor installed on my '73 Olds 98. The first two didn't work and I sent the car back to the shop. I noticed when I got the car back the first time that sometimes the Temp light blinked on startup...not every time but sometimes. They thought the wires to the thermostat were knocked loose from working around the carb. They reconnected the wires, thinking that would fix the blinking Temp light concern. I also had someone at the shop drive the car to a muffler shop to grind and gasket the leaking exhaust manifolds.
When I got the car back it ran fine at first (though the Temp light was still blinking sometimes at start-up.) After a few days the starter sounded like it was sticking on start-up. When the starter wasn't disengaging, both the Temp light and the generator light stayed on (that's when I would turn off the ignition and re-start the car.) I had the exhaust manifolds reground and re-gasketed, but this problem with the Temp light blinking was going on before the manifold job. The starter wasn't sticking before the exhaust manifold job. [Prior to the sticking starter phenomenon, the mechanics at the shop thought it might be a loose wire to the thermostat caused from working around the carburetor. They simply reconnected the wires better, thinking that would fix it.]
The other night about 3 AM I was grocery shopping at Wally World, and the starter stuck and I turned the ignition off and re-started. Radio and heater fan didn't come on until I put the car in gear. Drove about a quarter mile and the car's engine just went dead (radio and heater fan, headlights etc. all worked.) Called AAA for a tow truck.
The engine is getting fuel and fire but won't start. I was thinking maybe it could be the timing chain skipped or broke there at Wally World. Had that replaced about 6 or 7 years ago...could be time for a new one I suppose. I drive about 3k miles or less a year in that car. I don't stress the engine when I drive. Car has just over 104k on the odometer. Mechanics speculated the ignition switch was going bad. Thought someone here may have experience with this sorta thing. So far, the mechanics say this is a "weird" problem and don't know what it could be. This is a great place to seek answers to baffling car problems. Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions and ideas from you motorheads.
Les
