90 Spider ignition problems

["Derek Kaznoski" <sweetpea1998@domain.elided>]

I've had some rough idling/missing problems with my 90 Spider Veloce.  I've 
put up a few postings before (previously a questionable alternator problem) 
for those who've followed.

Anyway, here's the scenario:  the car starts with some difficulty (warm or 
cold), and is sometimes more difficult to start than others.  It seems to 
start worse when warm but I can't establish any real pattern.  The other day 
it took 5 long cranks and some throttle-blipping (which I usually don't do) 
to cold start on a 55 degree morning.  Previously it has done the same thing 
when fully warmed.  Once running, the idle is rough and the car seems to 
"catch" itself just before stalling with small increases in rpm 
intermittently.  It stalls easily at off-idle take off, so I have to bring 
up the rpm's very slowly to about 1500-2000 and then let out the clutch to 
prevent stalling.  Once underway it will rev up through the rpm range 
smoothly as long as there is minimal load on the engine (i.e., as long as 
I'm only gingerly on the throttle).  Trying to accelerate more quickly 
results in missing/sputtering in any gear at seemingly any rpm, though this 
is less evident in the upper range (>3500-4000).


I have been all through the EFI, etc. and everything seems to check out 
(AFM, fuel pressure (per mechanic), ISA, temp sensors, VVT, no air leaks, 
fuel press. regulator, exhaust gases (per mechanic), replaced fuel filter, 
plugs look good, etc.)

I finally gave up and took it to my mechanic, who put it on an 
analyzer/oscilloscope and found secondary ignition failure: only putting out 
12 KV and it's supposed to be upwards of 30 or so according to him.  He 
diagnosed a bad coil.

One of his employees put the new coil on it today.  I just spoke with my 
guy, and he says the car is running but the KV readings are still "wild" 
according to the employee.  My guy hadn't had the chance to look at it 
himself yet, so he wasn't sure what the problem was.  I'll find out in the 
morning.

So, does anyone out there know what may be going on in the (probably 
unlikely) event he can't figure it out?

Some caveats:
I recently had the charging system checked b/c of a dead battery: the 
alternator put out a max of 42A with a brand new battery.  I don't think 
this is my problem (no dead batteries since then).

I notice that when I first start the car the battery light stays on and the 
voltmeter reads around 9.  This immediately resolves by revving the car 
once.  Does this mean anything?

Thanks in advance,
- -Derek Kaznoski
'90 Spider Veloce
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------