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

[jimmycakes401]

Now that you mention it. I did rewire the wiring for the cold start. Maybe I wired something wrong.... The PO had cut it all up to install some sort of switch. I assume they were having the same problem. And rather than figure it out, they started slicing things up.

I have a "How to tune and modify posch fuel injection" but I don't think it includes trouble shooting. It was given to me with the car. LOL.

I will check out your files. Thanks for sharing!

[jimmycakes401]

So, on the second page of this thread I find a crimped after market wiring item. I now think they were starting to make a circuit to cut off the cold start valve. Because it never closes. I don't have the money to replace the switch or the sensor that opens it. I may wire something in myself. Right now I just warm her up on a cold day and then unplug the valve. It would be nice not to have to do that. If I don't unplug it, the engine floods and I can't start her.

[spider2081]

The cold start valve and the thermal time switch only have voltage to them in the start position of the ignition switch. I would check to be sure that is how yours is wired. I would connect a 12 light to the pins of the cars cold start connector. If the light bulb lights then you have both a power and ground at the connector. The power should be coming from the fuel injection double relay terminal 86. The ground comes from the thermal switch at the base of the intake manifold. If the thermal switch is operating properly it only supplies the ground when the engine temp is below 95 degrees F. If the engine is full temp the switch should be open.

[jimmycakes401]

I'll check it out. Do I need the key turned on to get the light to light up? I think I have a test light laying around. Thanks for the tip.

[spider2081]

If you connect the test light into the cars cold start connector the light should only light with the key in the "start" position and the engine temp less than 95F. If the light lights with the ignition in any position other than "start", I would think somebody has messed with the factory wiring. The thermal switch provides the ground for the cold start valve when the engine temp is under 95F.

[SLOSpider]

Maybe that was what the toggle switch was for I saw at the beginning of all this...

[jimmycakes401]

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. LOL. They just never finished the job. Ha! And I suppose I do want to fix it correctly, but I don't have the funds and they already cut everything up. I can fix it right later. My car isn't going anywhere for a long time.

[jimmycakes401]

Took the car out again today. Much better at driving it now. I need to test my alternator more. Should my battery light be on or off. Also, my wife was tailing me on the way home and she said that the signals are pretty hard to see when I turn them on. That concerns me.

BTW. The wife was tailing me home because my lugs were falling off my rear passenger tire when I got to my destination. I wasn't too happy about that considering I took every step to torque them properly. I also believe that my shock absorber on that week is stiff or stuck from sitting for so long. So many things to check on and take care of. So little time. I just want to drive. LOL

[4uall]

Alt light should be off

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... alternator

[jimmycakes401]

Ahhhhh. It was brighter than ever today. Lol. I need my wife to get me an alternator. : )

[4uall]

I would start with checking the tension on the belt (less expensive option). supportive wifes are awesome

[jimmycakes401]

I'll double check it. It's new. I put it in last summer, but it could have loosened up now that I've been driving it now and then.

[4uall]

I have seen posts where the actual bolt/washers needed tightening as well

[124JOE]

jimmy you have saved this car
and you will be driving it for a long time
i ran a second ground wire to the chassis and bolted it to the alt
also be sure the batt is fully charged and connections are tight

losing lugnuts is a real pain

[jimmycakes401]

I did indeed save it. Why does it hate me though? I'll try out that ground. If I ever get around to figuring this out. It just exploded when I was warming it up. Boom! I saw another thread talking about it. new rotor and cap? Hopefully that will solve it....