New Battery drains down. Won't start.

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Hoff349

New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by Hoff349 »

Hello all!
I have a fantastic 1981 Fiat Spider 2000. Love it but am very frustrated now. I buy a new battery every year because they seem to drain. Yesterday I had the newest battery charged at Sears and he said it was fine. Put it in and car started right up. I was happy. Today I went out to start her up and it just cranked and cranked. No start. Have had it to the mechanic for this over and over. He says there's no drain. Obviously there is. Any advice?
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by RRoller123 »

Are you saying that the engine just keeps turning over but won't start? The battery is good if that is the case, and there is some other cause of it not starting, usually either lack of fuel or spark at the plugs.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
Hoff349

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by Hoff349 »

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Engine turns over. I'm sure that if I jumped it, it would start. Yesterday after I got the battery back it started right up. Drove it for 10 minutes. Turned car off. Turned it back on. Cranked and cranked. Cranked again and it started.
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RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by RRoller123 »

Probably not battery. I am no expert by any means but it sounds like fuel starvation after warming up. There are many others here with WAY more knowledge than I who might be able to chime in.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
So Cal Mark

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by So Cal Mark »

unless the engine is cranking slowly, you don't have a battery problem. The fact it starts another car shows you have a different problem with your car. If the battery tests good, and your car is cranking slowly, you have a voltage drop or starter issue. Your mechanic should be able to test cranking voltage at the starter
Ky2000

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by Ky2000 »

Not a bad battery! Need to check for fuel and spark. Check for 12v at the coil while cranking.
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4uall
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Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: New Battery drains down. Won't start.

Post by 4uall »

I had a very similar issue, and they kept telling me my battery was fine :roll:

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... =6&t=17806
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

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2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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