86 Spider-this doesn't seem right

[jdc22]

I just recently joined the alfa ranks, purchasing a 1986 Spider Quad with fairly low mileage (41,000) The car runs great, looks very good other than the top is shot...but I just discovered today that the headlights and interior lights do not work. The high beams flash, but the lights do not turn on, nor do any lnterior lights or dashlights. Another strange thing, the windows and the radio (stock) all work with the key off and out of the ignition...this can't be right and I can see a big battery drain here. My guess is the prior owners messed with the electrics at some time, as the dash appears to be fiddled with and there are a few wires hanging where they shouldn't be. Any thoughts? Could it be a relay that all of the lights use? Thanks for and advice for a newbie.

Best regards,
Joel

[rmatteo]

Just to be on the safe side, it sounds like you might just be using the light stalk wrong. Up and down control low and high beams. You have to twist the stalk forward to actually turn the lights on. As far as being able to turn on all the accessories with the ignition off, thats normal. Someone pointed out that shutting a spider down is like powering down the space shuttle, lights-check, wipers-check, fan-check etc etc

[jdc22]

Repeat after me "Get a manual-Joel is an idiot...get a manual-Joel is an idiot....."


Thanks...I never thought to twist the stem, although I pushed, pulled, yanked. I'm not sure I'm worthy of this alfa thing...can't wait for my cardisc to arrive.

Yes, the lights work fine, my bad. I will neaten up the dash of wires and stuff...it appears that a toggle switch was installed under the fuse panel side of the dash to cut off the fuel pump or ignition..something to keep it from starting. ..old world theft control. The glove box light is disconnected, and my guess is it's because the last owner got tired jump starting his vehicle all the time when the glove box light didn't turn off properly.

It's funny, I own 4 motorcycles, three of them vintage, and all three shift differently and I have to re-acclimate myself each time I get on one to make sure I don't forget...I guess the spider will be the same way, and checking to make sure everything is off is one of the items I'll have to remember.

Thanks! If nothing else, I won't tell my teenage son and daughter how to turn the lights on to discourage them from trying to take the alfa out when I'm not looking.

Best ,
Joel

[84GTV6]

Don't feel bad.
I did the same thing many years ago with my first Spider!

[Farace]

Also, it's actually the low beams that flash when you push the stalk. I only mention it because at some point you're going to wonder why the lights don't flash when you've got the low beams on.

[alfabeach]

Make sure you have all the relays. I am missing the one for interior lights (N10) and it is expensive.

[Davy13]

I've always found that half the fun of owning an Alfa is watching a first time passenger struggle with trying to figure out how to open the door from the inside... And somebody ALWAYS has something to say about the shifter being up closer to the dash than any other car...

[weets]

Joel, you are not alone. It took my wife and I 3 hours to figure out how to turn on our 1984 spider headlamps. If it was not for my father-in-law, ie ex-spider owner we would still be trying to turn them on.

Welcome to the Club.

Peace