Re: alfa-digest V7 #828

[Pottree@domain.elided]

In a message dated 6/23/99 7:04:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< I have a 75 TS from -89, yesterday it suddenly would not start. When I 
turn the
 ignition key everything comes on, but when I try to start the engine 
absolutely
 nothing happens, not even a little click.
 
 I have started the car by pushing it and found out that when the motor is
 running in it's current state the warning light for the generator is 
blinking. I
 opened the hood when the car was running and the generator is at least 
turning. 
 
 I have not had the possibility to check the voltage of the battery but it 
seems
 fine. It does not seem to be a problem connected to the battery itself.
 
 If somebody has any experience of a similar problem or knows what might be
 wrong, please contact me. >>

A similar situation on our 2.5L 75 was caused by a poor electrical contact in 
the paddle-connector for the engine temp sensor.  Unplugging it, cleaning the 
contacts, and plugging it back it was the fix.

It is also possible that there is a short or failure of the relay that 
operates the fuel pump, which is on the engine bay firewall forward of the 
passenger seat.  There are 2 square relays there and I believe it is the 
outboard one.  These are subject to failure about every 75k miles, it's said, 
and without them the car won't start.  But, since it's an Alfa, it could just 
as easily be a corroded contact that can be fixed without even using actual 
tools!

Look for a wiser head than mine to explain, but I have heard from more than 
one source that you should not push start a modern (computer-controlled) car. 
 I'm not sure why, but it is an urban legend it will harm the car badly, 
somehow.  Same has been said for using jumper cables to start or be started 
by another car's battery if yours is kaput.  Power surge is likely to burn 
out the brain, I've been told, but before that I helped a lady in distress 
once using my GTV-6 to start her car with cables and experienced no problems.

Good tracing!

Charlie
AROSC
LA, CA, USA

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