Subject: intermittent starting problems

[Skipatnode@domain.elided]

In a message dated 6/18/2002 4:06:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:


> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 11:23:47 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Mario Pinto <pintomario@domain.elided>
> Subject: intermittent starting problem - 84 spider
> 
> My '84 spider runs good, but has a intermittent
> starting problem - 
> 
> it starts up Ok, then after driving - usually on a hot
> day - after stopping and trying to re-start - nothing.
> The starter does not operate - I can hear the fuel
> pump. Usually if a wait about 10 to 20 minutes or so,
> the starter will operate and the car starts right up. 
> 
> Yesterday, when this happened, I was parked on a
> slight hill, put the car in gear and went on my way.
> 
> so everything except the starter solenoid and starter
> seem to be working. 
> 
> Could I have a bad ignition switch ?
> 
> any help would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Mario Pinto
> '84 Spider

Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 22:26:40 -0700
From: "Timothy Leigh Rodgers" <timothy@domain.elided>
Subject: Starting problem-Guilia Super

We drove up to the Concours d'Elegance in Palo Alto this weekend.  When we
stopped for lunch on the way up in Salinas, the car wouldn't start -and
wouldn't even turn over.  The headlights, radio, and wipers all worked.  I
tried to jump start the car with battery and cables-still wouldn't turn over
and no clicking sound from the solenoid.  We had it towed to a local garage
and it started immediately.  The mechanic checked the battery, alternator
(115 series car), ignition switch, starter and said all was ok.  In
retrospect this happened once before on the way to Concorso Italiano last
year and again the car stated right up after a jump start that time and
everything was fine when checked by a mechanic.  The problem never recurred
so I forgot about it.  I asked the mechanic what to do if it happened
again-and he had no idea.  I wondered if the car just didn't like being
forced to go to Concours shows before it received a new paint job. My wife
felt it just needed to be shaken a little bit.

Everything was fine on the way home-until we gassed up in San Luis
Obispo-and it happened again.  When starting -nothing.  So we pushed the car
to try and jumpstart it but didn't get it going fast enough.  I tried the
key again-and it started right up!  Maybe my wife was right -it needed to be
shaken up a bit.  What's going on?  No crud on the battery terminals or
ground.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Timothy
'71 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super
'78 Alfa Romeo F-12 Diesel Van
'92 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
'81 Harley Wide Glide

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 15:13:16 -0500
From: "Ralph Fetsch" <RFetsch@domain.elided>
Subject: intermittent starting problem - 84 spider

Get a jumper wire with alligator clips on both ends. The next time it does
this turn on the ignition switch and then clip one end of the wire on the
hot cable from the battery and then touch it to the small wire terminal on
the solenoid. If it cranks and starts, it is either the neutral switch,
clutch switch (if equipped with these) if not equipped with these then it
should be the ignition switch. I had this problem with my 91 Spider with
automatic and it was the neutral switch in the tranny.

Cordova Ralph
Ralph Fetsch
Cordova Tennessee
1991 Spider Veloce w/auto
1964 Giulia 1600 Spider

       I have been fighting this problem for more years than I care to 
mention, including my trip from Virginia to Vermont and back just a couple of 
weeks ago!  Annoying, ain't it?
       It's a starter solonoid sticking problem when hot.  By running a 
jumper from the battery to the small wire on the solonoid and then gently 
tapping the solonoid, the starter jumps to life and works great.  Until next 
time!
       The last time I fixed it a few years ago, I disassembled the solonoid, 
cleaned and lubricated it and it worked great for about 3 years.  I did get 
chastised by Fred (Yes, that Fred!) for lubricating it!  I didn't really 
agree with him and besides, it was together and working so leave it alone!  
This time Fred, I will not lubricate it, I promise.
       I haven't tried the relay thing, yet.  I don't really see what the 
relay will do that my jumper didn't do.  But, many have said it works, so I 
will probably install one when I do my fix.  Can't hurt, anyhow!
       
Skip
67 Duetto
Norfolk, Va.
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