81 Fiat Spider hot start problem

[majicwrench]

Well, still confused a bit, I thought you were PUSH starting it to get it going as per your earlier posts. JUMP starting it gets it going too?? Do you jump start it cause it cranks slow??
'
'When an engine wont start there is a reason. Methinks both Mark and I have suggested checking you fuel pressure when it is "not starting". As I said earlier, hook a noid into the injector plug, see if it is flashing. Earlier you mentioned it has spark, I would double check that WHEN IT IS NOT STARTING. Then, whatever is lacking, follow that lead. If it dont spark, check power on + side of coil. Would be nice toi know what it is when it works too. If no noid lite flashing, see if you have good power to one side of inj plug while cranking.

Keith

[joehorner]

Well, still confused a bit, I thought you were PUSH starting it to get it going as per your earlier posts. JUMP starting it gets it going too?? Do you jump start it cause it cranks slow??
'
'When an engine wont start there is a reason. Methinks both Mark and I have suggested checking you fuel pressure when it is "not starting". As I said earlier, hook a noid into the injector plug, see if it is flashing. Earlier you mentioned it has spark, I would double check that WHEN IT IS NOT STARTING. Then, whatever is lacking, follow that lead. If it dont spark, check power on + side of coil. Would be nice toi know what it is when it works too. If no noid lite flashing, see if you have good power to one side of inj plug while cranking.

Keith

I confused you with the term jump start. Sorry. I never have to jump start. I only have to push start when hot. I don't think I have done the checks you mentioned when it was not starting. Makes sense. Will try these things. Thanks.

[joehorner]

Well we are getting somewhere. After driving for 30 minutes I stopped at a store for a few minutes. When I tried to start it, it would not start. I pulled my temp sensor off. it would not start. I tried to push start it. It would not start. I pulled a plug wire and checked for spark. No spark. Now as you might remember I have a ,72 dizzy on a 81 spider from the PO. I plan on eventually putting the stock dizzy on there but can't put more money into it that is not absolutely necessary. I saw a condensor beside the coil that Csaba says only effects the radio.

[looker44]

Mine had same problem. Robert the dallas Fiat guru took apart a relay or something below passenger dash cleaned it and now starts fine

That's as technical as I can tell you

[So Cal Mark]

oh my, a low output points system with FI? Have you checked the point gap?

[joehorner]

oh my, a low output points system with FI? Have you checked the point gap?

Yes, I checked the points and so did a local fiat mechanic. I tried to recreate the problem tonight. Drove it down the highway for 20 minutes and then checked spark... I got spark off the plug wires and a nice spark coming off the coil. I put a test light on one of my injector plugs. It wouldn't light up when I was turning it over, but then the engine did start and it was pulsating. (it never seemed to go out when it was pulsating...just got brighter and weaker) Do you think that has anything to do with the points? My temp gauge was jumping around, so I checked all my ground straps on the engine. It seemed to help. It was not warm tonight, so the engine didn't get as hot as normal (over 190). It was starting better than normal. Took about 10 seconds turning it over. I gave it a little gas and that helped start it this time. (just to be clear...it starts right up when cold) I do not like problems that won't stay in one place.

Mine had same problem. Robert the dallas Fiat guru took apart a relay or something below passenger dash cleaned it and now starts fine

That's as technical as I can tell you

I have looked at the dual relay to make sure there was nothing obvious going on like a loose wire or bad ground. I am not very good with a ohms meter but might have to do some checks there if I can't get anywhere. I did check the ohms on the coil. I don't really understand the different ohms settings, but on the lowest setting it was 4.1 ohms going from positive to neg. On the 20K setting it was 8.47 ohms on the negative post and the coil output. I assume that is 847 ohms. If those numbers mean something to someone, please let me know.

[majicwrench]

OK, you said you "tried" to recreate problem, so did you recreate it, did car fail to start?? Then are you lacking spark or inj pulse??
' Don't bother with ohm meter unless you know what you are doing. Bottom line on coil, does it spark?? If no, does it have power at + terminal when cranking??
' Keith

[WYSpider]

Have you tried hot starting with the fuel filler cap off or loose?

[joehorner]

OK, you said you "tried" to recreate problem, so did you recreate it, did car fail to start?? Then are you lacking spark or inj pulse??
' Don't bother with ohm meter unless you know what you are doing. Bottom line on coil, does it spark?? If no, does it have power at + terminal when cranking??
' Keith

I drove around for a while, but it was at night and the car didn't get hot enough to create the problem. The coil was sparking. The car started after turning it over awhile. I need to get it good and hot. I am driving about an hour away tonight, so that should do the trick. Will test again.

Have you tried hot starting with the fuel filler cap off or loose?

Yes, no effect.

[majicwrench]

Not much point testing anything while car is working. It needs to be dead, not starting. Then check for spark. If no spark, check for 12v at coil+ WHILE CRANKING.
' If you have spark, check for inj puse. Do you have a noid?
' Keith

[dutchgeordie]

I've got exactly the same problem, turning over nicely when hot but not starting (with a definate smell of fuel in the air) and then when I pull the cold start injector connector it starts after 10 seconds or so.

Does anyone now know what's causing this and how to properly fix it?