[dtbjan]

Hi,
I recently purchased what seems to be an '83 Spider. The date inside the door frame says November of '82 but I'm pretty sure this is the '83 model. I have not seen an interior in worse condition, but that is not the point. First I need to get this car running.
I have replaced the fuel pumps and sender and am now getting fuel to the rail, but no start, even after new spark plugs. I check to see if plug wires are sparking against the engine block, and they're not. I figure this is a problem with the distributor cap and rotor but decide to check coil first. both poles on top of coil are getting power when key is on, but when i put the connector wire up to the plenum as a ground, and I crank the ignition, no spark. Does this sound like i need to replace the coil?
Thanks,
Duncan

 

[RandallM]

Did you dowload the L-Jet manual. If the engine just cranks make sure your pushing 12 volts out of the battery and check your fly wheel sensors. I had a bad fly wheel sensor when I first got my 86.

Post pictures, good, bad, or ugly. It's fun to see progress!

 

[dtbjan]

I do have a manual, but it doesn't seem to give all of the components connected to the coil. Where can I download the L-Jetronic manual? I have a battery charger hooked up to keep it from getting low so that's no the problem, but I haven't checked the flywheel sensors. How should i go about doing that?
thanks for the speedy reply,
Duncan

 

[ghnl]

You should find the Spider L-jet diagnosis page useful. Link is in my signature.

 

[RandallM]

Hi Duncan,

Click on Erics post of the L-Jetronic Spider diag and copy it off. I printed mine onto photo paper and keep a copy in the garage. When I purchased my non-running Alfa a year ago that was what was keeping it from starting. $90 later it fired up. When you look up fly wheel sensor it's pretty easy to ohm them out. You'll find the connectors under the washer fluid bottle.

Hey Duncan! Tell us the city you live in, there might be an Alfist nearby willing to help you out.

 

[pabeaver]

You first must be sure the battery is healthy and fully charged. Check all battery connections and grounds. The ignition computer will not 'fire' unless it has about 10.75 volts. A lot of voltage can be lost going from the battery forward through the engine compartment to the fuse box and ignition switch and then back to the ignition computer behind (inside) the passenger rear side panel. Don't assume that your battery charger will correct for a weak battery.

 

[dtbjan]

Thank you all for your help, the L-Jet Manual makes a huge difference. I went out and bought a Multimeter today to test the resistance of the flywheel sensors. I'm getting infinite resistance from the two poles the manual says the test, when I should be getting between 800 and 1250 ohms. It sounds like its time for two new flywheel sensors.

Randall, is this the same result you had when you tested the sensors? I just wonder if my test is accurate.

I'm in Jackson, MS, and thy guy I bought the car from said there was an Alfa Romeo club in town, but i haven't heard anything about it.