I've got a 1982 Fiat 124 Spider, originally equipped with a turbo (removed) and has fuel injection, traditional distributer cap, that has a problem. This car is stored in the Winter and I do put a fuel stabilizer in the tank.

The Problem: When it is cold, it seems to start no problem and runs ok most of the time. However there are times when it either dies at idle at a stop light, or very infrequently it dies going down the road at cruising speed. Once this happens it is a bear to get started again. I've also noticed that if we stop some where, for 20 minutes or so, it can also be very difficult to start. So I tend to think the restarting problem is associated with the engine being warmed up. Eventually after much cursing, I do get it started after the battery is all most dead.

So I'm considering different possibilities-
-Water in the Fuel Tank.
-Intermittent Electrical Problem
-Intermittent Fuel Supply Problem (pump?)

Regarding water in the tank, I have added a fuel additive called SeaFoam which I was hoping would take care of any water.

I've got a Clymer Fiat manual and reading through the fuel section, I'm wondering if the Fuel filter or Cold Start Valve could be involved?

Is the Fuel Filter assessable from underneath the car?

What really is frustrating is that a couple of years ago (yes it's been doing this for that long) we took it into a foreign car garage and they could not get the car to do it (display the problem) for them. Maybe I need to go to another shop...

Any ideas? Thanks!

You need to get a Fuel Injection Diagnosis Manual (available at no cost from several locations). Your problem could be something as simple as a bad coolant temperature sensor or a bad double (combo) relay. The FI systems on these cars is fairly simple and straight forward.

GeorgeT said:

You need to get a Fuel Injection Diagnosis Manual (available at no cost from several locations). Your problem could be something as simple as a bad coolant temperature sensor or a bad double (combo) relay. The FI systems on these cars is fairly simple and straight forward.

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George, any tips on where I should look? Is this something online? How technical is trouble shooting fuel injection and are special tools required?
Thanks!

-Dave

any tips on where I should look? Is this something online? How technical is trouble shooting fuel injection and are special tools required?
Thanks!

-Dave

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There's a Bosch L-Jetronic trouble shooting giude here:

mirafiori.com/~thad/fi/

Only tools you would need are a multimeter and possibly a noid light and a fuel pressure gauge.

Dave.

Davren said:

There's a Bosch L-Jetronic trouble shooting giude here:

mirafiori.com/~thad/fi/

Only tools you would need are a multimeter and possibly a noid light and a fuel pressure gauge.

Dave.

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Dave, thanks, I'll check it out. Is a fuel pressure gauge pretty standard?

Huntn said:

Dave, thanks, I'll check it out. Is a fuel pressure gauge pretty standard?

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The Gauge is a standard automotive fuel pressure gauge for petrol engines but you would need the correct 'T' piece to fit it into your fuel rail.

Probably best to do the electrical checks first, then decide whether you need to do the pressure checks.

Dave.

You know, my 1970 850 spider does this as well!! What I did was pull apart the distributor and replace the wires and tips, I think I was just getting an intermittent connection. Dunno if this will help but that issue settled down once I did the work so it could be or I could've just bumped something else while I was monkeying around in there and that fixed it!!
Jason

My 1980 Spider 2000 does the same thing. I'm waiting until spring to work on it.

Now, it doesn't die but it does sputter from time to time and run a little rough when the RPM's are low. The starting issue IS the issue.

Any other ideas?

Had a look at the aux air valve? I checked mine by taking it off and putting it in the freezer(hide from the better half) for a while. Look in the end and you should see a larger opening inside, this is supposed to close as the car warms up.
Check again in a warm area to see if it has done so,if still a large opening then some issues and look at replacement. (ebay/ craigslist car parting out ect)
The temp sensor at the "T" is another thing to look at. Check conections at the O2 sensor and the thermo time switch under the intake manifold.Thermo time I think controls the cold start injector/valve (could be gibbled and car is getting too much gas/rich)
have fun
Narfire

Narfire - That would make some sense. When my spider starts acting up after driving for awhile I usually smell fuel. I'd say it is running a lot rich. So, where do I find the Aux air valve?

In my book I see an aux air regulator.