Just when I thought I was out...

[pjnats]

Hey, everyone, buon Sabato! (happy Saturday in italiano ; ) Well, I recently retrieved my '81 Spider LE out of the warehouse last month and to my delight she started right up just as predicted! I drove several miles to show her off to an old friend but he wasn't around. She started right back up again so I drove to my mom's who also wasn't home. She started up a third time and on the way home I decided to top off the air pressure in the tires. Alas, my dreams of another trouble free season of driving died on the spot as "Lucianna" would crank but not turn over. I tried repeatedly until I accepted that she just wasn't going to start and called AAA. An older fella who was a mechanic and had also just taken his vintage El Camino out of storage suggested that I check the fuses, which I did while I waited for my tow. Everything looked fine so the easy fix was ruled out. I know this could be a myriad of issues but I'm open to any suggestions, especially any more easy fixes. (Just kidding; I've owned three Spiders and I know better) One last thing, I did change the fuel pump and filter since I couldn't hear the pump when I turned the key but that didn't rectify anything. You should have seen what came out of that filter, however; it looked like sawdust! Okay, thanks in advance for your help and buona giornata! (have a good day ; )

[azruss]

clarification: when you say it would crank but not turn over, do you mean the starter would not turn the motor, or the motor would turn, but would not fire. I have had fuses that all look okay but not work. Sometime just rotating them in the holder a few time was enough to get a good contact.

[pjnats]

It's turning over but not starting. I did rotate all the fuses to make sure they had good contact and removed the inline fuse several times to make sure it was also was doing its job. It just seems to me that I'm not getting fuel to the engine, but that's just the conclusion of a very novice "mechanic."

[RRoller123]

You could start by doing a pretty easy check to see if the fuel pump is at least sending fuel, by removing the CSI (5mm ball end Allen wrench) and pointing it into a jar and cranking the engine. If the engine is cold (duh, of course it is cold, it won't start ), it should spray for about 7-9 seconds or thereabouts. If it does, then you know that the fuel pump is sending pressure to the fuel rail and it is probably something else. NO SMOKING.

[pjnats]

When you refer to the CSI are you talking about the Cold Start Valve?

[spidernut]

Here's the order in which I'd suggest checking things:

1. Check to see if the cams are turning when you crank the engine. If not, your timing belt broke.
2. Check to make sure your coil wire is firmly attached at the distributor and coil.
3. Remove the distributor cap and check the magnetic pickup wire inside your distributor. They are notorious for becoming brittle and breaking. The car will not run if it is broken or grounding out against the distributor.
4. Check the wires to the back of the ignition switch (they are soldered to the switch on the 81 EFI cars). Make sure they're all still connected. If they are, follow the wires up and look for the connector that is about 6 inches from the ignition switch. Look for the brown wire connector and see if it is burned off at the connector and/or if the connector is damaged.
5. Check the fuel pump as previously noted.
6. Report back to us.

[RRoller123]

PJNATS, Yes, the cold start injector.

[pjnats]

Okay, RRoller and spidernut, I did my homework and came up empty on all accounts. Nothing is coming out of the CSI and I checked every item on your list, spidernut, and everything was fine. So, any suggestions regarding what to do next? Thank you in advance for your continued help!

Pete

[RRoller123]

Bad fuel pump, bad connections to the fuel pump, blown or poorly seated fuse for fuel pump, clogged fuel filter are all likely possibilities now. And, although it seems ridiculous, I suppose if your gas gauge is bad, it might actually be out of gas even though the gauge says not.

[pjnats]

Thanks for the reply, Roller! The only definitive thing I can say is that the gas guage is not bad, as I removed the fuel sending unit and looked into the tank and I have a half a tank of gas. Regarding the possible fuse issue, first of all, is it contained in the red "separate holder" behind the rest of the fuses? (It's maddening that the manual refers to it but doesn't depict it!) Secondly, if the fuse was bad, would I hear the pump turning on? The same with the dual relay, if it was bad would I be able to hear the pump turn on? I REALLY appreciate you working with me on this!

Pete

[Nanonevol]

Did you say nothing is coming out of your CSI, cold start injector? That's a problem.
You can hear the fuel pump though, yes?

[pjnats]

Hey, Nanonevol; yes, no gas to the engine and I can definitely hear the pump come on.

[spidernut]

You should get fuel out of the CSI when cranking. If you remove the fuel supply line to the fuel rail and crank the motor do you get fuel? (use some type of sealed container for the test because the fuel comes out really fast and you don't want an engine fire).

Here's what I recommend in this case - use the factory EFI diagnostics manual from Kelly Dicker at Wine Country Motors in Napa. It will give you every step-by-step test to locate your problem if it is in the EFI system.

http://www.wcmotors.com/personal/Fiat%2 ... agnostics/

John

[Nanonevol]

So possibly a clogged fuel line or filter. Also, fuel pump could be making noises but still defective.

[pjnats]

Hey, guys, just an update re my no start issue. I decided to forgo any further attempts on my part and just have a local garage that works on imports to take a stab at it. I'm just not comfortable fooling around with the fuel lines any longer. Thanks for all of your advice and I'll let you know what they diagnose was the problem. Enjoy a terrific summer driving season!