Engine starts runs, idles.....till I touch the accelerator!

ChrisTaylor · Post by **ChrisTaylor** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:26 pm

Hello

I just took the cover off my 1980 spider 2000 F.I. It sat patiently all winter....Car drove fine last fall and in fact I took it out for a nice winter day in January.
The battery was dead when I took the cover off. I charged it and now it starts and idles......the second I touch the gas pedal it dies. Starts back up and does the same thing

What can it be?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Chris

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:35 pm

could be a stuck flap in the air flow meter, disconnected or split boot between the afm and throttle body

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:38 pm

could be old gas, I drained mine w a hose down the filler neck, also any split vac hoses?

ChrisTaylor · Post by **ChrisTaylor** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:44 pm

Well I checked the air duct and AFM. There aren't any cracks or leaks in the air duct and the afm seems to be moving freely.
The car still starts and idles very slowing and rough...around 500rpm and eventually dies. It may idle for around 2 minutes or so ,.....as long as I don't try to add any gas. If I try to add gas it dies instantly.

I am really at a loss. I drove the car in January...no problem and haven't touched it since. What could possibly go wrong just sitting there?

Any other possibilities?

Thanks
Chris

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:35 pm

Have you tried using any type of fuel stabalizer? It could be your gas is breaking down and not combusting correctly. How full is the gas tank?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:11 pm

sounds like the timing is retarded, can you line up the marks and check the cam timing? The belt may have jumped when the engine cranked over

ChrisTaylor · Post by **ChrisTaylor** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:40 am

I filled the tank with premium gas in January and I added stabilizer. I will check the timing.

Thanks
Chris

ChrisTaylor · Post by **ChrisTaylor** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:02 am

ok...now it just starts and dies. It won't idle. And it usually only starts maybe twice or three times and then it won't even start.

I can't figure this thing out. The weather is nice now and I am getting anxious to take it out on the road.

Chris

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:14 pm

I would be looking for something nature has done while it was parked. Nature didn't change any settings. A vacuum leak from a cracked hose, plugs, cap and rotor corroded from damp weather. That kind of thing. Also, a battery maintainer is a great investment for a car that is used this way. My Triumph motorcycle is only used in the summer. I have not had to do any major service to the battery in the 4 years I have owned it and the battery was not new when I bought the bike. The price of the maintainer...? $26...J.D.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:10 pm

if it won't start, you need to check basics; spark, fuel pressure, injector pulse. I'd look closely at the fuse box, the terminals tend to get corroded and lose the connection.