Dead Spider Update

["Christopher A. Stephenson" <cs_tscg@domain.elided>]

Thanks for the advice. Since I am reading this at work, I haven't been able to
try your suggestions. I do know however that I am not getting any spark to the
plugs. This baffles me. Both sides of the coil are hot all the time. Shouldn't
the positive side be hot intermittently to allow juice to go to the plugs? I
tried another coil with the same results. I must admit that although I have
worked with Bosch fuel injection, I have no experience with electronic ignition.
Most of my cars are sixties era. I did check the fuse. It was corroded and even
broke, but I think it was still functioning. I replaced it. Is it possible that
the brain box is bad?

Again, thanks in advance for your assistance.

Chris

Spinya@domain.elided wrote:

> Ok I have been an alfa mechanic for a long time and have dealt with this
> problem before (and had the same thing happen to me). First thing go thru and
> check the temp sensor plugs on the intake manifold to make sure they are all
> plugged in firmly and also if you can unplug them and check to make sure that
> the connectors havent pulled out. You won't be able to tell unless you unplug
> the sensors and look in the holes on the plug. There should be 3 if not 4 I
> cant remember exactly on that model. Next the fuel pump will "ONLY" run while
> the motor is running or the engine is cranking. It will not run with just the
> key turned on. If the fuel pump doesnt run while you have someone try and
> start the car while you have you hand on the fuel pump you need to check the
> hidden fuses. Take out the back package tray behind the seats and next to the
> computer you will see a bright red inline fuse setup. Pull that apart and
> make sure all the connections are good and that the fuse is good and not full
> of nasty things. If you check all those things and still have no luck let me
> know and I can try and help further. Good luck.
>
> Zack
> 71 spider (turbo efi almost done)
> 92 164
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 12:09:49 -0400
> From: "Christopher A. Stephenson" <cs_tscg@domain.elided>
> Subject: Dead Spider
>
> As I was accelerating up the on-ramp to the highway yesterday, the
> engine in my '85 Spider went completely dead! No sputtering, just
> running one moment and not running the next. So, I pulled over to the
> side to take a peak under the hood thinking that a wire had come loose.
> Nothing! As I was poking around, another Alpha enthusiast stopped to
> assist. He feels that my fuel pump went out - he had the same problem. I
>
> have not had the chance to check all electrics.
>
> Questions:
> 1. Should I hear the fuel pump buzzing?
> 2. I have no hot wire to the fuel pump located beneath the car.
> Shouldn't the Pink and White wire be hot when the ignition is on?
>
> Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Chris Stephenson
>
> The Stephenson Consulting Group
> PeopleSoft Implementation Specialists
> (404) 915-7669

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