Check those ground wires!

[Milanogold@domain.elided]

Greetings Alfisti!
      Had a problem with my beloved Alfie, (87 Milano Gold 132k) miles this 
weekend and thought I'd share it with you.
     I had installed a new coil and new auxillary air valve recently,and was 
beginning to experience an intermittent high RPM "stutter".Alfie was fine 
warm and cold until I got into the higher reaches of the RPM band, where 
Alfie would start to sound like he was starving from lack of fuel and/or 
spark (stuttering is the best way to describe it).Perplexed at the problem 
(Chanting,What have I done.........),I proceeded to trouble shoot the FI 
system electrical connectors.I cleaned all of the connectors,checked the coil 
(which was fine) and took Alfie out for a road test.Still had the 
stutter.......
      Totally confused ,I researched the GTV6 website with its' digest post 
clipping collection and found how to test the aux. air valve.(I've got the 
factory manual for Alfie but it's Italian to english  translations are a bit 
much when it's 100*f outside).I found the testing procedure, and went out to 
the car.Opened the hood,looked at the aux air valve and mentally kicked 
myself.DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!
       When looking at the aux air valve,you'll notice 4 ground wire 
connections which attach to the base of the valve,which itself attaches to 
the right valve cover. .The upper hex head screw wasn't tightened down 
enough;causing the screw to work itself out, and causing the ground wires to 
flop around the top of the valve cover like fans at a punk rock concert.I 
found the screw resting in between 2 A/C hoses,reattached it, used a dab of 
threadlocker,and Voila! no more high RPM stuttering.The car is smooth as silk 
now all the way to redline.  
       For all fellow alfisti with a car that isn't running to its top 
performance,check those ground wires.It's a simple check;It may save you a 
mechanics bill and embarrasment at stoplights.
Hope this helps,
Terry and Sharon Akins
Alexandria,Va
1987 Milano Gold (Alfie, running like an Italian dragster again)
1979 Alfetta Velocissima (Lazarus,waiting impatiently for cooler weather so I 
can install his new rear springs and Koni shocks)      

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