New from Arizona

[saiko]

Hey all, I am the new owner of a 1980 Fiat Spider 2000. Purchased new by my grandmother and now it's finally ended up in my hands. Not much of a mechanic, but I'm trying to sort out what might be fixable by my hands. A bit tricky to start, and I wish it had a manual, but once it's running it seems to run pretty well (aside from various rattles.)

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Welcome. Fuel injected or carbureted? 1980 was generally fuel injection for California cars, but fuel injection didn't appear across the other 49 states until the 1981 model year.

-Bryan

[saiko]

It's fuel injected. Not quite sure if my problem is fuel-related or electrical, as to turn it over I have to give it gas while cranking. Once warmed up (while giving it a little gas) it will drive and idle fine. Also if I don't get it to turn over the first time, it'll take a few minutes of ignition clicking, but not cranking before it tries again. I know it's not the battery. I looked up and found these forums, so hopefully I can get on the right track from here.
-Matt

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Also if I don't get it to turn over the first time, it'll take a few minutes of ignition clicking, but not cranking before it tries again. I know it's not the battery.

Matt, that sounds like a classic case of the contacts inside the ignition switch are starting to fail, a common occurrence on Fiats this old. It can also simply be loose connections at the back of the switch, or a loose connection somewhere along the path of the large red wire that goes from terminal 50 on the back of the switch with the other end going to the spade terminal on the starter motor solenoid.

-Bryan

[rdv]

Hey all, I am the new owner of a 1980 Fiat Spider 2000. Purchased new by my grandmother and now it's finally ended up in my hands.

Hi, great story! Any pics from today and the 80ies?! We are always interested in new pics!

The worldwide Spider Register actually counts 176 cars from Arizona over all types and model years (except Abarth and Volumex), see here:
https://www.fiatspider.de/register?Fahr ... ve=Arizona

As a one family car, your Spider is probably missing? Would be great to include your car!

Cheers Ralf

[saiko]

Bryan, thanks for the input. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to check out that ignition switch. I found a diagram online, so hopefully that helps.

Ralf, thanks for the welcome. I'll check out the registry- lets see if I can manage a photo here..


-Matt

[rdv]

you got it! And car looks great, must have always been a good family service!