81 Spider starts and dies after bulb change?

[jahmalj]

The car started acting funny AFTER changing all the rear bulbs. I looked up the specs and got the bulbs at my local auto store. The didn't have the 1063 bulb so the new "equivalent" was supposed to be the 7506. Sequence of events

1. Changed all the bulb. While changing I had to pull off the fuel line return as it was in the way. Not sure if this caused my problems.
Maybe some sensor is screwed up now?
2. I tested the lights and the turn signal work didn't so I tried to start the car. It would start for about 8-8 seconds and die. It will die
quickly if I give it any gas.
3. I put all the original bulbs back in thinking maybe the "replacement" were not right and caused problems.
4. I tried to start the car and now it just starts for 1/2 a second and die.

I did get it started between step 2-3 but then I turned the lights on and immediately died.

I am assuming the bulbs didn't cause all this but I am throughly confused. All the fuses look OK visibly but i am thinking of changing them all out.

Ughhhh!!!


Jahmal

[Kevin1]

There is a ground wire inside the trunk which can cause a lot of running problems of it is not making good contact. It is located near the left rear tail light. Could it have been disturbed while changing the bulbs?

[jahmalj]

There is a ground wire inside the trunk which can cause a lot of running problems of it is not making good contact. It is located near the left rear tail light. Could it have been disturbed while changing the bulbs?

Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I actually removed that to clean it and put it back on. I just edited my original note as I forgot big point that after several tries, I did get it to start but died when I turned the lights on. Now it runs for 1/2 second and dies.

[RRoller123]

There is another ground on the passenger side back there too.

[spider2081]

I am assuming your car is a 1980 Fuel Injected car. There should be 2 wires in a single ring terminal that need to be grounded near the left side light assembly. The white/black wire is the fuel pump ground and the black wire is the rear lights ground. Originally both wires were in a single ring terminal and grounded under one of the left tail light assembly mounting studs. I like to remake a new grounding point with these wires as the tail light stud is mounted in plastic and can loosen with time. I drill a hole clean the paint off the metal and use a machine screw, nut and washer to make a new clean permanent ground.

Often when a Fuel Injected Spider starts and stalls the problem is related to the large air hose connecting the Air flow meter to the throttle body. Any leak there can cause your issue. The hose easily pops off if the car backfires.

[RRoller123]

Also look for the 2 ground points (ring terminals with black wires) on the bolts that mount the top of the air plenum, at the 2 further back positions on the outboard side. If one or both is loose, the injectors won't fire, or will fire sporadically. Ask me how I know this.

[jahmalj]

HI RRoller123,

Yes, I did find the ground on the left, but I did not see one on the right, so I will go looking tonight. I will check the air hose tonight. Tis is a 1981 Fiat Spider FS. You help is very much appreciated. I just got back in town and will update ASAP.


Jahmal