1980 spider wont deliver power under load, rough idol

[pparana25]

I have a 1980 spider (FI) that will not produce any power under load and if the Water t sensor is connected I can barely get her to run. I have replaced the water t sensor and several smaller fuel injection components. Any ideas? also does anyone have any specs for the FI components?

Many Thanks!

[So Cal Mark]

I have the FI troubleshooting guide on my website and I believe Brad Artigue has it on his also. Usually an FI car won't run with the temp sensor unhooked. Have you checked the air flow meter and intake air boot for leaks?

[pparana25]

well it was last fall when i looked at her, put it away for winter. In any event I had the computer looked at, there were some loose solder points. The mass airflow looks like it has been tampered with, there not cheap so I am wondering if anyone has a spec sheet on it as far as values from the pentameter, there are no vacume leaks that I can find.

[So Cal Mark]

you air flow meter is just an air flow meter, measuring volume only. A mass air flow meter measures density of the air. Rebuilt units are fairly inexpensive. You should check the flap to see if it moves freely from closed to wide open. Check theintake air boot for cracks or splits. Have you made sure the fuel filter isn't plugged up? Have you checked the fuel pressure? In the last 20 yrs I've only seen one bad computer and that one had gotten full of water

[adrians]

I've gone through all sorts of problems with the F.I. - check the electrical connector on the AFM, I found the wires had gone brittle (1981 Car) inside the connector, I had to by a new one and reconnect the 7 crimp connectors ( new connector was $35AU). Also check the fuel regulator and the injectors ( I had one that looks burnt )

All these led to rough idle and no low down pulling power, car would run at high revs ok,

Regards

[pparana25]

yeah I think I will have to pull out all the stops, basicly im looking for some baseline figures on readings for the pentometer in the afm, and the other electronic components, then I would know what was good and what needed to go,from there I could get into the wonderful wiring! Socal you say the afm are not that expensive? I have only seen them for about 600USD, so if you have a cheap source please let me know.

Thanks again for all the advice!

[racydave]

Gas gets old, And ive seen restricted cat converters. Its loud, but if you remove the exhaust sensor, itll allow exhaust to improve if it were a restriction...

[adrians]

pparana25

Refer to the link to a post in the past 3 weeks. ( USER RLJB )

AFM - ( refurb unit ) $160US from directauto.com in the States

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2444

Regards