Help needed; Spider won't start

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

     An Alfa needs fuel (mixed with air) compression and spark.  Get all there at the correct time and it will run, or at least pop.
     Do you have spark?  You did not mention that.  Has the distributor jumped 180 degrees out of time?  Are the rotor and distributor cap OK?  I have at least two ignition computers that have died and will not creat sparks.  The other computer runs the fuel injection and seems less likely to fail.
     It sounds as if you have fuel.  However, I like to put a hand on the fuel pump to make sure it is working.  The fuel pump fuse fails quite often.  I have also seen where the main fuel pump seemed to work, but was toast.  If the fuel pump inside the gas tank is not working, the main fuel pump will not move fuel and will quickly overheat and cook itself.  
     I have also had a spider where the fuel lines looked great.  Turns out the fabric on the outside was holding a crumbling mass of rubber inside.  In that case, the main fuel pump also turned to toast about the time I noticed the fuel soaking the fabric covering.
     The L Jetronic Alfas are very sensative to battery voltage.  If your starter draws too much power, there is not enough left to run the injection.  The battery should have 12.7 to 12.8 volts at rest.  As Fred would say, buy a DIGITAL volt ohm meter.  Charging it should be at least 13.5 volts.  Starting it should still have 11 volts or so.  I forget the exact number during starting.
     Even if your battery is new, charge it.  You may have run it down cranking the car.  If it does not have enough power to start the car with the starter, you may still be able to push start it.  (Pulling to start the car can be dangerous to the tow vehicle in front).
     Another failure can be one of the two sensors that bolt to the bellhousing and sense flywheel position.  I forget what the sensors should show across the terminals, but both should show identical resistance, so compare one to the other with your volt ohm meter.
     Hope this helps.  If not, buy the Bosch manual available from AROC - www.aroc-usa.org

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City



Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 08:49:56 +0200
From: Paul Kessels <paul.kessels@domain.elided>
Subject: Help needed; Spider won't start

Hi Alfisti,

my '86 Spider Bosch injection will not start. I did not drive the car for 3
months. Started it and it run great at once. After one week tried to start
it again, it will not run. Things i've checked;

new battery
airflowmeter -> no obstruction
auxailarry air device -> is open
temperature sensor (injection) -> is oke
start valve -> sprays petrol on start up

Also the starter runs great, fast no strange noises. When i turn the
ignition on i hear the fuell pump so ...

I've run out of options. Any input from your side ??

Thanx

Paul Kessels

Spider '86
Z3 '2002
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