1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

[jimmycakes401]

So am I. Too bad I have no time to drive the next few days.

Who knew it was just a loose inline fuse? Me! But I was looking at the wrong one.

[fiathead]

Congrats on getting it running again. In a couple of months, you'll gain a whole new understanding of enjoying a warm spring day when you get the car out for the first time after winter hibernation. That first warm sunny day that lets you take your Spider out can't be beat.

[jimmycakes401]

I need some rear absorbers I think.

[jimmycakes401]

I don't think I can handle owning this car. Started it yesterday to make sure it starts. And it did. I knew I wanted to drive it today on such a beautiful day. Went out just now to start it, put the key in, the little jingle is jingling all the rights lights are on and when I turn the key NOTHING happens. Nothing. The car hasn't moved since it started last. So now I guess I have to go hunting around for wires. I'm charging the battery in case that's the problem, but NOTHING is happening. Soooooo.... blah.

[jimmycakes401]

Got it started, parked it, got back in and it didn't start! AHH!!! Got it towed because I couldn't get anything working. Got home, pulled the relay board and gave everything a squeeze. VRRROOOOOOOM. It started... This thing sat for so long and got so dirty I might have to pull each wire/relay/fuse and clean them. I didn't want to do that because I figured I'd mess more up than fix it. But I think I will do one item, start the car and continue.

[giuliot60]

Glad you've sort of figure it out.

I had an electrical demon I couldn't figure out for a while shortly after I bought the car. It turned out to be a loose connection on the aftermarket amp meter gauge. It's been starting with no issues ever since.

I would think dielectric grease would help. I try to put it on all my electrical connections since most of our issues are ground faults or connections.

[jimmycakes401]

Yes. I'll be doing that as I go. I'll do it little by little. I'm going to start with these relays. It looks like a mouse nest was built on top of it at some point. It's dirty and gross. Needs major cleaning.

Also, when i took my relay cover down one of the threaded inserts popped of into the dash. So I need to figure out a way to fix that whole so I can get two bolts back in.

[jimmycakes401]

I'm officially a Fiat owner now. I've come to terms with my cars "issues." This week my car scolded me for not having a tool kit handy. A screw driver and a click of a relay was all it took to get her going again. AFTER I called AAA. The good news is, I am much better at driving stick now.

[seabeelt]

Yes, but look how much better your gas mileage is when someone else does the driving

[jimmycakes401]

My father in law said we should get a wrecker to keep with my Fiat.

[giuliot60]

Fortunately I haven't had to have her towed since I brought her home. Came close once or twice, but always made it back home under her own steam.

Also, my relay panel has only one bolt holding her up. The other fixed nut became loose under the POs ownership. Fixing it is on the list.

[jimmycakes401]

Let me know how you intend fixing it. My other nut won't last

[giuliot60]

Will do.

I thought about using epoxy. I have a neighbor with a welder, maybe tack weld it. I don't know why they didn't just tap it into the dash bar, as opposed to through it.

I think we can access it by removing our glove box lining, but I think some of my glove box screws are stripped so I didn't want to deal with that yet.

[jimmycakes401]

Oh. If I can access the top that'd be great. I have a welder. I was thinking epoxy too but couldn't figure out how to get in there. If I can just pop my glove box out horray! I think my screws are fine.

[giuliot60]

Let me know if that works, as I haven't actually tried.