Hesitation and Backfiring

Blue124 · Post by **Blue124** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:18 am

I have a 1978 spider that is a great car. It runs nicely but has begun to hesitate and backfire (it sounds like through the carb) whether cold or warm. This happens under load in first or second and it may pop three times and die (it will restart) or it may pop once or twice and then continue running. The ignition system has been mostly rebuilt. Any ideas for a newbie?

I also have had problems with starting the car. There are times, mostly away from home!, when you turn the ignition and everything lights up but the engine won't turn over. I've regrounded the battery, tightened connections on the fuse block, checked for loose connections on the starter. Last night it did it again, with the trans in reverse. I took it out of reverse and it cranked. It'll crank in neutral with the clutch engaged. What about this one, any ideas?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:25 am

I'd check the points gap, this should be done twice a year on your car.

With the no-crank trouble, you're going to have to use a voltmeter or test light on the starter circuit to determine if you're getting power to the solenoid.

jim3 · Post by **jim3** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:10 am

I have FI and can't help with first part.
On to starting. Had similar problems. Replaced starter, ran new extra ground wire from battery negitive up to starter front bolt. Cleaned everything. Now starter works great. (this also cleans charging wires)
New starter was $50 at Shucks and comes wtih limited lifetime warranty.
New ground wire (multi-strand #12) from home deport electirical department and cost about $15.
Bandaids to get out top rear starter bolt $.25.
Celebration beverage when all back together and running $6.95.

Blue124 · Post by **Blue124** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:47 pm

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. I'll give these a try and see how it goes. Luckily, my wife bought me some new medical supplies when I bought the car. Was she like psychic or what?

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:37 pm

With a hesitation, it could be a vaccum leak, ck all hoses for cracks, looseness. If your batt is in trunk, you should install a ground cable from eng to a good chassis location. Mine did the same thing, I think it was the connections at the starter, and one burnt connection in connector near ign switch I butt connected the wire. The spade terminal at starter was fixed by squeezin the female spade tighter w pliers.

Haps93 · Post by **Haps93** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:22 pm

I too have a 78 that was giving me difficulties with hesitation. Mine seemed to happen more as the rpm's increased. I changed fuel filter, rebuilt carb, new plugs, new wires, new rotor, new dist. cap.....hmmm..still problems. Then I bit the bullet and removed the points and installed a Crane XR3000 electronic ignition. WOW....it's running like a dream (fingers crossed and knock on wood).

........Haps

78 Spider

Blue124 · Post by **Blue124** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:36 am

Good news and thanks to you all! I regrounded the battery in the trunk and went over other connections in the starter wiring and so far, so good.

I'll also reset the points and it's a different car! I'm going to go for the electronic ignition but what a difference a little gap makes. It had almost closed so I'm sure it was close to not running at all.

Thanks folks, you gave me great advice and encouragement and now I'm happy with the car again!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:13 pm

thanks for the update, and congrats on only having to perform minor repairs!

Hesitation and Backfiring

Hesitation and Backfiring

Starting

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