Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Keep it on topic, it will make it easier to find what you need.
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by ga.spyder »

Gunsmith,if I was back down there right now I would take you out for a beer.We could both cry into them!!! I feel your pain.Let me know what happens with yours.
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
racydave

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by racydave »

Craig, the noid light should be connected to the two terminals and will flash to show the operation. That shows that you have power and ground.
Gunsmith

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by Gunsmith »

Just ship your beautiful car down to me and I'll let you know when it's fixed. :wink:
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Europa
Posts: 512
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:02 am
Your car is a: 1983 Pininfarina Spidereuropa
Location: Ft. Lauderdale

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by Europa »

Craig, I'm rooting for ya buddy! Ya got this. :lol:

Ps. Is your ignition components ok? rotor, cap, mag pick up. Is anything frayed inside the distributor?
1983 Spidereuropa
Verde Scuro
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by ga.spyder »

Thanks guys.I need some encouragement.The noid light test came out fine.I drove it to the gas station,about 5miles,careful not to exceed 3000rpm.Cruised there with no issue.Gassed up,restarted and headed home.I revved (slowly) to about 4K in 2nd and it crapped out!Engine was up to temp coming and going.I started pulling plug wires when I got home,and I think it is running on all 4 cylinders.Just running like crap!!!
Abey,I swapped and swapped back,one at a time,all the ignition components with known good parts.No change.Mag p/u and all inside the dizz are good.No frayed wires.
I feel I could drive all day long at low rpm and it would be fine.As soon as I let it get above 3500 it turns to s#*t.Quick question...if you pull the plug to the tps,what should happen?I tried that when it was running bad,and nothing changed at all.It is adjusted correctly.Did that recently.
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Divers

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by Divers »

Just sent you a PM about the TPS. Its easy with a ohm meter to adjust. After you adjust per the manual....manually open and close the accelerator linkage and insure it is stable.
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FiatMac
Posts: 290
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:14 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Salisbury, North Carolina

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by FiatMac »

Craig,
Check my PM on testing of the coolant sensor.
Stan McConnell
Retired Mechanical Engineer
Salisbury, North Carolina
82 2000 Spider (driving)
78 124 Spider on the rotisserie
76 124 Spider parts car or possible Lemons racer
83 parts car
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by ga.spyder »

Got it Stan.Thanks for the offer..I sent you a reply.I found my copy of Brads f.i. manual.Have ohmeter,and I plan on using it!!Also,rented a fuel pressure test kit.That is first on the list in the morning.I am going to the garage early,lunch in hand,and dont plan on comin' out until I find my gremlin :twisted:
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
So Cal Mark

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by So Cal Mark »

your symptoms sound like fuel starvation. If the screen is still on the tank pickup, it may be restricted. You can have sufficient pressure but a lack of volume
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by ga.spyder »

Do I need to drop the tank to check that?
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Divers

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by Divers »

No,

But I believe you will need to drain the tank....or be VERY fast :)

Install the fuel pressure gauge and check pressure by turning key to on position and manually opening the AFM flap. This will tell you the baseline pressure. IF good (REMOVE WHATEVER YOU USED TO HOLD OPEN AFM FLAP) start the car with pressure gauge installed and check pressure. IF good, rev up the engine and see if pressure is still good. Mine runs about 40 psi (I believe anything over 30 is good). Put your pressure gauge on the end of the cold start injector hose.

Robert
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by narfire »

ga.spyder wrote:Do I need to drop the tank to check that?
Nope. On top of the tank are a number of I believe 6mm nuts holding the fuel gauge assembly and pick-up in place. Undo those without any sliding down the side of the tank, and pull out.
Make sure they are snug when putting back on, I had mine back off 1/4 turn or so and after smelling fuel found dampness around the top and a few loose nuts (on the assembly)
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by RRoller123 »

No smoking and battery disconnected!
'80 FI Spider 2000
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by ga.spyder »

Today,,,it sux to be me!! :D I started off with the fuel pressure test.The kit I rented is for modern vehicles with test ports.There was a 't' in the kit,so I figured that would work.Nope.Too big to fit between the cold start and fuel rail.Went to town and found a fitting that I could make work.Hooked 'er up,and the car showed about 30+- psi,with the car running.The plan was to drive until itwent into crap mode and see if the pressure dropped.Well...it was in crap mode from the outset!!!.I did the same test with key on,flap on AFM open,and pump running.Now I show 39 psi constant.About right? So,I walked away from the fuel ,and planned to start checking components thru the ECU connector.But first,I changed the TPS.No biggee? Wrong.The previous owner had apparently stripped the head off the bottom screw!! Finally got it out and swapped parts .No change. :evil:
In the meantime I got a email from an expert on these f.i. units.I reran the pressure test and ,as ordered,pinched off the return line.The pressure shot up to 70psi!!! Bad pressure regulator.Stay tuned....I am waiting for a confirmation on my test before checking for a clogged strainer in the tank
ps...I spilled a good bit of fuel this morning.I had a lighter in one hand,and the phone to the insurance company in the other. :shock: I walked away...cooler head prevailed
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Divers

Re: Back on 4 cylinders,but...

Post by Divers »

Shouldn't the pressure shoot up when you pinch the return line...??? That would be same as having a clog in the return line. I was going to suggest the Bosch pinch test, but if your pressure was good thought it would be worthless, but Brad is the expert on things injected.

Good luck!
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