Fuel Starvation Problem Resolved

[Davy13]

I had to post this 'event' as someone else will surely go through the same thing...
I could not start my '83 Spider... I pulled a plug, and was not getting any fuel to the cylinders. I checked "that fuse" behind the passenger seat. The fuse was fully intact. I looked under the car at the fuel pump and saw that the fuel line was kinked. I started to sweat the idea of needing a whole new fuel pump, as I figured it was starved of fuel, and burned out on me... I pulled out the pump, filter, and all the surrounding line. I then 'bench tested' the fuel pump (for just a split second). The pump worked fine. Great News! (I thought). I then checked the wires going to the pump. No juice. Bad News! (I thought). If the fuse was intact, and the pump worked, I was fearing some other 'bigger' electrical problem... Eventually, my ohm/voltmeter led me back to the fuse holder. I was getting juice on one end of the holder, and not on the other end. Finally, I simply tested the fuse itself. IN SPITE OF A PERFECTLY GOOD (APPEARING) FUSE, IT WOULD NOT CONDUCT!!! I cracked open the fuse glass, and it had actually broken at the base, instead of in the thinner center, where the break could be seen. I replaced the whole holder with a rubber encased 'knife' style fuse holder... I also figured the original fuse broke for a reason, so I was glad to replace the filter and kinked fuel line. IN SHORT, 1st: ALWAYS CHECK THE FUSE WITH AN OHMMETER, and 2nd: FUSES BLOW FOR A REASON... I felt a bit like a fool, but the relief of not having to buy a fuel pump, made me feel much better. ALso, with all of my new fuel lines, filters, and cleaned contacts, the car starts IMMEDIATELY (1 second of key turn, as opposed to 3 seconds before). Just thought I'd share my experience. I am sure others have already gone through the same thing, but I am sure there are others scratching their heads, like I was...

Also, why is it that with the Alfas, it is always your first gut instinct that proves to be correct? I guess it is from pouring our hearts and souls into these little buggers for so many years, eh?

-Dave.