For some reason my Velle has been turning off on me. I noticed it does it when it's "cold" or it's been sitting for a little while....which yeah, I guess you can still call it "cold". Anyway, it seems to do it only when I put it in reverse, and only reverse....is it just coincidence? Do you think it has anything to do with my fuel filter? The fuel filter is only around 3-4 months old, give or take a month. Like I previously said, it's never done it before, so I'm kinda believing that the motor being cold shouldn't have anything to do with it. Thanks smile.gif

lookin at your list of other vehicles, your Chevelle is probably your only car that is not fuel injected.

It sounds like typical "cold natured" chevy.
Does it stop doing it after it warms up?

I would'nt worry about it too much. Sounds typical. Just make sure your choke is set right and you should be good to go.

Dwayne

My Chevelle started doing that once. Kept getting worse until it would just die whenever it "felt like it". Always started right up for a little while. I changed to choke settings, fuel filter, carb, points, sparkplugs, wires.... Replaced the ignition coil and it stopped, never did it again.

Good Luck,
Art

Thanks guys. My carb doesn't have a choke, so it always idles around 900-1000rpms. Like I said, it just seemed really weird to me that it started doing that....and only in reverse. It's fine when I put it into drive, but once I throw it down to reverse, it turns off. I did notice that if I do let it warm up it doesn't seem to do it. I guess I'll just have to give it a tune up and hope that's all it needs smile.gif

Fix the choke and your problem will be solved.

If all else fails to fix it, check to be sure the neutral safety switch is set correctly.

OLDED how can the neutral safety switch cause an engine to die once it's running?? Neutral safety switch only allows the starter solenoid to be engaged in park and neutral.

Not to sound like a total "rookie" when it comes to carbs, but, I'm not even sure if my carb has a choke on it :confused:
My carb is a Holley 750VS 3310-6

Does it just flat out 'die' when put in reverse, or does it kind of 'power down' and the RPMs drop somewhat slowly, if you will. If it does, try dancing on the gas LIGHTLY as you're dropping it into reverse and as its in reverse, as to keep the RPMs up. If this helps it (when cold), sounds like a choke problem or just the old fashioned cold-natured Chevy.

When I put it in reverse, it turns off just before I have the shifter in gear...so right as the shifter is "seated" in reverse the car is off already. I've noticed that I'll have to put one foot on the brake and give it a little gas with the other so it won't turn off. There's just one thing I don't understand...I can understand the typical "cold nature" stuff, but it's also happened to me after driving around for a little while. I'll turn the car off, then go back and turn it back on, maybe 5-10mins later, and once I hit reverse, it's off.

Mine does it, but not after its warmed up. Once its warm, it runs like a champ.

Has it been running rougher at idle when you're at a stop?

LXS, mine does simular, but in Dr. or Rev. Only because its cold and no choke. I have to dance the gas pedal to keep it going if I don't wait for a longer warm up. After that no problem. Yours seems strange though, that it only does it in reverse. Almost sounds like something is shorting out when you go into Rev. Don't know.

Thanks a lot guys for the responses! I really appreciate everyone's help here smile.gif I'm hoping it's just coincidence and everything will be ok. My bank account is finally out of the negative "stage", so that means I can finish paying off my debts and hopefully have enough left over to give the motor a tune up :D Lets see how she "acts" after I give it a tune up. I'll probably try to do it sometime next week, so I'll keep you guys posted. Hopefully all is well!

i once had an 87 Caprice with a tilt column that was worn out and would kill the ignition if i bumped the wheel wrong.
that was kinda freaky the first time it happened when i was going 60 mph around a curve in the road..

WOW!!! That is pretty freaky Derrik!

the column is a good possibility. i would pull the column down and at least replace the switch, the electrical part. and check the wiring. it's very possible by you giving it gas as you shift it moves the engine and trans in a way that keeps connection in the switch, as you shift. i am assuming it is a column shift car?

If you are not losing the dash lights it's not a switch problem. Why isn't the choke hooked up?

Yes, the car is column shift, and I have no idea why the choke isn't hooked up. How do I hook it up?

What kind of carb? What kind of manifold? If you have a stock style Q-jet on the iron manifold head down to the junk yard, see how the choke is hooked up, and buy the choke pieces.
The rod assembly is different on a 71 4 barrel versus a 2 barrel so you need to find a 4 barrel car, truck, or van. I assume you have a 4 barrel.

Carb is a Holley 750VS 4160 3310-6. Intake is an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold.

Not a carb expert. Maybe check with someone else or with Holley. Should be able to get an electric choke for that. Maybe model 45-223 is the right one. Summit sells them.
I do have a manual cable and bracket if you want it. Had it on my 3310 but converted to electric. Easier to operate.
http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/FMS/FMSCA/Access.html#CP

What are the benefits/advantages to having my choke hooked up? Which is best, manuel or electric choke?

Again not a carb expert but I assume you have your choke tied open now. Better that it operates.
Either a manual or automatic will work. I got tired of playing with the cable so I changed mine over.