'79 Spider intermittent problem

boggissimo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 02:58 PM

Hi,

I have been really enjoying my Spider since I picked it up last week, it puts a smile on my face whenever I open up the throttle.....but it seems to be having a small problem. Wondering if this is something anyone else has experienced:

For no apparent reason, the battery light comes on strongly, and the car loses power and the engine soon dies. Applying more throttle doesn't make any difference, it's like it's not firing, or not getting fuel, or something.

If I turn off the ignition and restart, it's like nothing ever happened. It seems to happen mostly at low speed (like pootling along at 30mph), but once the other night it happened at 75 on the freeway (this time I didn't need to turn off the ignition, just took it out of gear and it was fine). Also the other night when I went to start the car after it had been parked for a few hours, it had the problem a few times repeatedly.

Any guesses? I've only had the car a week, and apart from this, it's brilliant fun.

As far as I know, the car is unmodified.

**papajam** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 04:40 PM

Welcome to the Board boggissimo!
Sounds like the electrical portion of the ignition switch is going bad. But before replacing it, I'd recommend cleaning all the fuses (should be done annually anyway).

**Roadtrip** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 09:06 PM

Agree with Papajam . . . . . sure could be an ignition switch going intermittent on you.

I'd start by checking the obvious and easy stuff first . . . making sure the battery ground cable is clean and tight both on the battery and where it bolts to the bodywork.

TO EVERYONE ASKING ADVICE:

WHEN YOU ASK A QUESTION, PLEASE INCLUDE THE YEAR AND MODEL OF THE CAR YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

YES, I AM SHOUTING!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

I'm better now. Thank you for your cooperation.

AlfaRomeo1750 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 09:51 PM

Hey Guy,

I dont know if I am talking out of left field or not, but what you are describing is something that happened once to my 71 spider a few years ago just before some wiring went bad.

I would be tooling along at 65 mph when the battery light would go on and the car would cut out. Well one day one of the wires coming out of the positive batery terminal to the alternator shorted and fried the ignition system.

I am not sure if this could be going on with your car, but I thought I would mention it as an added alternative to check. Also check the cable that runs from your battery to your starter, and see if its bolted down tight. if there is any loss in power, this could also contribute to your starting problems, and stalling. If your engine bay is like most older Alfas, there is a lot of engine grease flowing around in large family sized clumps, I would recomend getting some engine bay cleaner and flushing out all that dirt and grime.... it will make for cleaner hands..... and a lot easier time trouble shooting things under the hood..... Its much easier when you can see what you are trying to work on

On a side note..... just a few things to check also..... not related to your posted problem.

1) the rear Fuel pump, and tank fuel filter to make sure its still working properly
2) the front Fuel Filter to make sure its still good
3) check the clutch slave cylinder and pressure line for leaks and tears
4) Check the cylinder head torque and make sure its up to spec.
5) See when the last oil filter was put on not only the engine, but on the spica fuel pump.

6) check all the wires leading to and from the Spica pump as they are wired into some of the dash instruments Via ( at least in the 71 model) the 6th fuse.

7) check the level of oil in the transmission and differential, the seals tend to crack and let out fluid.
8) check all listed grounds on the car and possibly add a few more.... it never hurts to over ground a car.

I know what I just listed are things that are not wrong with your car, but they are some things that I had to tackle when I started with my 71 spider.... and I know how awful it feels to have an awesome car and be on a road side with passers by laughing at you. So I wish you the best of luck in your spider journey and hope to see more postings .... Ciao

Martin

71 Spider Veloce

87 Spider Quadrifolio

boggissimo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roadtrip
Agree with Papajam . . . . . sure could be an ignition switch going intermittent on you.

I'd start by checking the obvious and easy stuff first . . . making sure the battery ground cable is clean and tight both on the battery and where it bolts to the bodywork.

boggissimo · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by papajam
Welcome to the Board boggissimo!
Sounds like the electrical portion of the ignition switch is going bad. But before replacing it, I'd recommend cleaning all the fuses (should be done annually anyway).

**Roadtrip** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 01:13 PM

I need new glasses. Getting old is tough.

boggissimo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2003, 03:37 PM

I don't want to tempt fate here, but the problem hasn't recurred since I started this thread a few weeks ago! You guys obviously have the magic touch

It may be a complete coincidence, but I reconnected the unplugged wires I posted about in this thread, and since then it's not happened again....

Cheers,

Boggis

74spider · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2003, 05:46 AM

I had the same problem this summer with my 74 spider.

I wasted a lot of time and money changing my plugs, cables, coil and distributor before realizing the fuel filter probably hadn't been changed in 20 years.

CHANGE YOUR FUEL FILTER FIRST!!!!!

*** Thanks to Roadtrip, you suggested I change the filter at the beginning of the summer