Hello and HELP! Another Spider that won't start...

[Spiderman80]

Hello all...

I am new to this site and feel as if I have spent the last week trolling the internet for a simple answer to my 1980 Spider 2000 FI not starting.

The car has been in storage off and on since I bought it back in 1984. It has 39,000 original miles, and every few years I tell myself I am going to spend a few grand and make her special again. Kids, life, and a few moves, and I end up starting her every there or four years, and other than a rough start, she always starts and runs after a new battery and some fresh gas, but she never got restored to her former glory and hasn't been "driven" like she should for more than 20yrs. This last time she sat for only a couple of years, but this time I turned the starter over and the car ran for about 3-5seconds and then she died.

Here's where the story starts... I replaced the gas filter, drained the tank, put in fresh gas with some Royal Purple Boost and Fuel Stabilizers. Same result. I popped off the air intake line and sprayed starter fluid in the intake manifold. She ran a little longer, but only for about 5-10secs. My diagnosis: fuel delivery. So I read about 50 threads and am now completely confused. I am looking for some real guidance and really prioritization of where to start and what's important first. New fuel pump? Change a bunch of sensors? Grounds? Fiddle with the AFM sensor (included with black cover surgery). I'm in the rabbit hole!

I'll admit I'm fairly handy, but this thing has me scared and I need to solve it ASAP. Looking to my fellow FIAT geeks for some collective thought capital. HELP!!!! ...please.

[ORFORD2004]

What about plug injectors?

[RRoller123]

You could start with a fuel pressure gauge, mounted at the CSI Cold Start Injector, and report back what you have for fuel pressure.

Check the electrical connections at the CSI, and that the AAV is OPEN when cold.

Also you could remove and test the Temp Sensor at the front of the coolant T. Let us know the Ohm readings when it is cold, and at boiling temperature.

Beyond that, checking all the connections at the ground pods is a good idea.

After sitting so long, the injectors may need to be cleaned. High probability of this. When I bought my car, I was told it had been treated similarly, started a few times each year. It ran, yet the injectors were a complete mess, some running at ~25% throughput. There are good, quick turnaround services, I like OK Injectors, but there are others that do a good job too. They will also check the action of the Cold Start Injector too, the CSI, which is necessary. A good Injector cleaning (forget the gas additives, waste of time if the injectors are already bunged up) is an important thing to get done.

Pete

[Spiderman80]

Looks like I have a few tasks... Will report back when I'm done.

[Spiderman80]

Bought a fuel pressure gauge today... Stupid question. Where exactly is the best place to attach it? There is no port so the suggestion is by the CSI. Does that mean I disconnect the CSI? Or the hose to the CSI? Just need some guidance... Is there a better place?

Also, if I want to remove the rail and the injectors, does anyone have a good thread or diagram, or video on how best to do it?

[ORFORD2004]

Does that mean I disconnect the CSI? Or the hose to the CSI

The hose to the CSI and you put a T

[klweimer]

Spiderman80,
Shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send you my grainy scan of the factory FI trouble shooting manual.
Kirk

[Spiderman80]

Kirk,

You sent me GOLD! I can never repay you except I guess to learn and pay it forward. I'm gonna dive in and tell you what I found...

Pictures and results to follow... BTW, it's my anniversary today. Any advice on whether working on the car is bad form today?

-Brad

[aj81spider]

Unless it's her car, or she loves to work on cars with you ... it's bad form.

[klweimer]

Happy to help. Go take your wife out for dinner!

[Spiderman80]

Ok fellas, the anniversary was a success! She still loves me... Following up, I finally got everything I need to test the fuel pump and pressure. I got 40 PSI, so I know the pump works and fuel is getting to the fuel rail. What next? What is the AAV? Where is it? and how do I check if it is open. As I said, the car turns over easily, the cold start injector must be working because the car runs for about 3-5 secs and then dies. Should I just pull the injectors and clean them? It looks like some task as I would need to remove some other things to get to them. I'm trying to avoid unnecessary work, but these little Italian gems are tricky and finicky...

[klweimer]

Brad,
Have you checked to see if the injectors are getting power pulses? I think that's covered in the troubleshooting guide. If the injectors are getting power pulses, then it could be the injectors are plugged. Pulling the injectors is not that bad. Just a little awkward to pull the rail.
Kirk

[Spiderman80]

Well gents... You did it! Many thanks for the guidance and input. I got her started and she sounds purrrrfect!

Here's a photo of what I'm fighting for:

/Users/bradbodine/Desktop/Scarsdale - Greenacres - Montrose Rd, April 24, 2017/IMG_1567.jpg

[RRoller123]

What ended up being the cause?

[Spiderman80]

Solved it by cleaning each injector by hand. Once completed, she fired up like a champ. Tough job, but worth the time. Now on to the electrical!!!