Re: 78 Spider Fuel Electric problem

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Ed:

I've got a '74 Spider, but I checked the wiring diagram for '78.  The only 
electrical device I can see between the fuse and the pump + terminal is the 
inertia switch (labeled #82).  I don't see anything but wire between the 
fuse and the inertia switch, and I'm looking at the wiring diagram from the 
original owner's manual.  Located close on the diagram to the pump is an 
item (labeled #15), but that's just the electrical connector, and perhaps 
that's what you're asking about.  If it was a relay, there would have to be 
additional wiring connections.  You are correct that 'S' indicates a pink 
(rosa) wire, but 'M' indicates brown (marrone).

Are you sure the inertia switch isn't bad?  Is there no voltage on both 
terminals, or only one?  If you have an ohmmeter, you can test the switch 
by removing both wires and checking the resistance between the two 
terminals on the switch.  Resistance should read just about 0 ohms.  It 
won't kill you to eliminate the inertia switch anyway, as they don't have a 
great reputation for reliability, especially after 24 years.  The earlier 
cars just have a wire running directly from the fuse to the + terminal on 
the pump, and you don't hear about them bursting into flames (remember the 
Pinto?).  Do you have voltage on both sides of the fuse, and is the fuse 
good, tight, and with clean contacts?  If you want to do a quick check on 
the fuel pump, just run a long wire from the fuse, outside and under the 
car, to the fuel pump and see if it works.  If so, and you really have no 
voltage at the inertia switch, replace that short interior wire from the 
fuse to the switch, and use the switch or bypass it, your call.  While 
you're at it, after the other stuff is fixed, you may also want to check 
that you're getting full voltage (like 13.5 volts with the car running) at 
the fuel pump.  Sometimes a weak ground at the pump can cause low or no 
voltage to flow and cause a problem.

Feel free to email me if you still can't get things fixed.

Regards,

Dean W. Cains
Lutz, FL
'74 Spider Veloce

At 11:49 PM 3/5/2002, you wrote:
>Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 19:57:37 EST
>From: Tanthor@domain.elided
>Subject: 78 Spider Fuel Electric problem
>
>I have traced down my electric fuel pump problem.  Unfortunately I have no
>idea what the item at fault is.  On my wiring diagram it (from cardisc and it
>has no key) there is a small box located between the fuse box and the inertia
>switch.  That is what I need to replace.  I have power at the fuse box and
>none at the inertia switch.
>
>So it seems logical that this is some kind of relay.  Am I even close here?
>If any body can identify the gizmo on the wiring diagram and tell me where to
>find it in the car.  Not to mention where to get a replacement, is this a
>Alfa special or a generic part(oh please).  It is a small box right next to
>the fuse box on my diagram with no identifying number.   Also, the wires are
>marked M and S.  I think S is pink but have no idea what M would be.
>
>Thanks a lot,
>
>Ed
>Ocala FL
>78 Spider

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