[alfa] Spider electrical woes- a possible cure!

["Ray Manners" <rmanners@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I had these symptoms on my '87 Veloce-



Normal voltage/charging at start-up

Significant voltage drops when almost anything turned on- lights, A/C (big
time!), stereo, etc.



It got to the point where I had to choose what to turn on. If it was rainy
at night (wipers and headlights on), I couldn't turn on the A/C or stereo
because the wipers wouldn't complete a cycle.



Turns out my problem was a burned elec connector under the dash. The plastic
plug was obviously scorched and bubbled.



It's the main plug out of the ignition switch where it connects to the rest
of the harness (large gauge red and brown wires). I replaced the connectors
in this plug with marine quality insulated spade terminals (had them lying
around) and it cured everything!



Now I run A/C, wipers, stereo with big amp, lights- you name it. Volt needle
barely moves, lights stay bright, etc.



It would be the first thing I would check, and the first mod I would make if
I bought another Spider.



I hope it's that easy for the rest of you. I was ready to spring for a new
alternator and clean every ground!



BTW- this is my 2nd Spider with these same symptoms- I don't know if it was
the same problem with #1- but I'll bet it was. Sadly #1 was destroyed by
napping Camry driver before I was able to find a remedy.



-Ray Manners

1987 Spider Veloce
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