frustrated fiat owner

[ihatebakersfield]

Hello, I am having nothing but trouble with my second fiat, a 1980 fi spider. it has been trhee months of fix this that breaks.
just did the brown wire fix yesterday, and now after running rough for about 5 mins, it died and will not start. acts like it has no spark. grrr!!!

Dave R.

[beachboy]

What brown wire fix? You dont do a brown wire fix to a FI Spider. It already has the brown wire to the Dual relay from the factory. Cleaning grounds are what you should be looking at, those are the most common. Installing relays to the front headlights is also a beneficial fix. Explain whats going on in greater detail so we can help.
Good luck

[mbouse]

hi dave. welcome here.

BBoy is correct. Brown wire Surgery to a F.I. car would at best be a waste of time. suggest you consider removing your wire and see what else is wrong.

[billstyer]

Hi Dave,
Don't give up on it. If it runs at all, it can't be too bad. Have a little patience, and you'll be rewarded. There is a wealth of knowledge available here, so take advantage of it. I'm sure some of the people here could build a Fiat from a boxful of assorted parts, so tell us the story.
Hang in there,
Bill

[PeterD]

I'm sorry to hear all that. So you hate Bakersfield too, eh?? Well if you still live down here, and need an extra set of hands, let me know! Good luck man

[rlux4]

Maybe we can get together this weekend and try to get this resolved. I have several spare FI parts to try if that ends up being the problem. If the problem popped up immediately after the brown wire fix, it's gotta be related. Anyway, let us know if you want to try to get a couple of us together, I wouldn't mind a drive over the hill.
Ron

[ihatebakersfield]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. I currently live in oxnard ca, (yes near the beach!) had it running for a minute after the b.w.f. but in my haste i had neglected to reattach the m.a.s. wire and resecure the intake hose clamps ( from earlier repair). when I attempted to drive off car died and now will not start. I checked my spark, engine seems to have compression, but I believe I am not getting fuel. can the fuel pump fail that suddenly or perhaps there is a fuse? any ideas are welcome. It is my only transpo so i am desperate to get it running again. ("the fool!" they all exclaimed upon learning the spider was his only car) not my choice. I had a lovely volvo c70, but it committed suicide on me. (broken tie rod resulting in 9000 dollar damages had to scrap it (tear trickles down cheek) so again, any suggestions are welcome!

Dave R
1980 white spider 2000
1977 white 124 (r.i.p. 1985-1994)

[ihatebakersfield]

btw, I pulled the new brown wire. after reading your replies. but still no change seems not to be getting gas. is there a way to introduce gas to the engine like in a carbed model to test ?

[SLOSpider]

You can remove the air boot and spray some starting fluid or break cleaner in the intake and she if she kicks over then.

[rlux4]

Hey! I live in Lancaster, but I work in the Ventura area. Even in Oxnard occasionally. I spend the week in Ventura and the weekends at home. So it would actually be easier to hook up with you in Oxnard. Have you checked your fuel pressure yet? I have a pressure tester if you don't have one. Email me at rlux4@dslextreme.com and we can discuss what you've checked so far and decide what I'd need to bring over if you'd like to get another hand involved.
Ron

[beachboy]

Ihatebakersfield,
Please change your avatar to something that is appropriate for a car forum.

[ihatebakersfield]

found it. seems to be the fuel pump. Oh joy. I will retrace the current, but I am thinking it is kaput. any body got a used one they wanna off cheap or perhaps barter for computer work? I kinda doubt pick-a-part will be of much help this trip.

[So Cal Mark]

if you're going to pickapart, there are some other pumps you can use. BMW and Jag pumps will work

[rlux4]

Check that you've got power in the brown with white stripe wire going to the dual relay with the key on. Then check if the green with black wire at the dual relay has power when the key is on and the flap in the AFM is open. The first check is to see if the inline fuse good, the second check is for the dual relay function.
Ron

[Mathew26]

Check the ground for your fuel pump they get gunked up all the time. It should be attached to the lower taillight mounting stud on the side closest to your plate. Take it off and clean it up. Thats a free thing to check and takes only a couple minutes.