Sometimes wont start, sometimes engine quits

[spider2081]

I have an 81 Spider 2000. Has been running great for 7,000 miles. Recently intermittently (1 out of 10)it doesn't want to start. This only occurs after the car has been run, even as little as 5 min. Always starts first thing in the morning. Also on occasion the engine will quit, at any speed. The tach goes immediatly to 0. Usually the car catches itself and continues to run. I checked the Dizzy wires and they look good. Gave a little tug and they seem not to be broken internally. The Brown wire juncton looks ok also.
Any suggestions on what to try next.

[radiopilot]

Sorry for your troubles but it might be simple... if you have the carb version, remove the idle solenoid and check with a DVM for a short, if it reads ok, attach it to a 12 volt charger (low setting) or 12 volt power supply and listen for clicking sounds, if you don't hear the clicking sound, you may have a shorted idle solenoid, you can get one from the usual vendors, the car will not idle correctly and will shut off occasionally.

If you are technically inclined you can remove the coil off the solenoid and rewire the coil as I did, it's an easy fix till you order a new one.

Hope this works.

[mdrburchette]

With the tach going to zero, I'd bet on an ignition problem. Have you replaced the pick up in the distributor? I had a similar problem and only after cutting the insulation off the wires could I find where it was frayed inside.

[So Cal Mark]

all 81s are FI. I'd also look at the electrical connector on the temp sensor. If the connector is broken or won't stay tight, replace it

[rlux4]

I'll chime in here too. Are the other gauges also dropping to zero? I had a simililar problem that turned out to be the wires coming out the back of the ignition switch. Power would go to the starter, but not to the ignition circuit.
Ron

[spider2081]

When the engine won't start it cranks maybe faster then it seems to when it does start. ITs hard to tell because if it starts it only cranks a few turns and its running. If it doesn't start the warning lights in the guages and the exhaust gas sensor indicator are lit while cranking. So I think the ignition switch is ok. I am leaning toward the ignition module or the distributor pick up coil.
Mark is the temp sensor you mentioned the one in the water "T" ? And if that is intermittent will it cause the tach to immediatly drop to 0 if engine is running and quits?

Thanks for the replies. Wife now is nervous about taking the car to Freak Out

[So Cal Mark]

the temp sensor is in the tee. If that connector doesn't make a connection the engine will die. When it won't start, you need to determine if there is spark

[spider2081]

Thanks for everyones input. I took out the pick up coil from the distributor, measured the resistance its about 700 ohms. I don't know if that is good but moving and pulling on the wires had no effect on the resistance. While the engine was running I unpluged the temp sensor. The engine diffenitly stumbles but did not stall. I cleaned that connector and reinstalled it. I had a couple spare coils and ignition assemblies so I cleaned one up and replaced the coil and ignition module assembly. Car starts very quickly and has not quit once started. Knock on wood as they say maybe it is a reliable ride once a gain. Maybe wife will ride to Freak Out after all. By the way she wants to know where to put our luggage in the car for the weekend. She suggested shipping it UPS

[SanAnEliseMan]

Maybe wife will ride to Freak Out after all. By the way she wants to know where to put our luggage in the car for the weekend. She suggested shipping it UPS

What is she taking?!? I know the Fiat is small but there is ample storage space for a multi week trip! The boot is rather large for an imported sports car and there is even a "back seat" area that is essentially just more storage space. If my fiance and I can pack for a week long trip in a Lotus Elise I think she can handle it. . . just use soft luggage instead of hard.