If you have spark at about the right time and approximately the right amount
of fuel it should run (assuming no internal derangements).
Check for spark timing. See the Spider L-jet diagnosis page - link below -
for the method to set the ignition timing on an L-jet Spider. Also check the
rotor & inside of the distributor cap. A mis-matched set can allow the rotor
to strike the contact tips inside the distributor cap breaking them &/or the
rotor.
Check carefully for intake air or vacuum leaks - L-jet does not tolerate
'false air'. Check that the computer grounds are clean & tight - don't
assume - remove, clean & secure. Also, L-jet requires 10.3V or greater for
the computers to wake up to send the spark/fuel signals. It is entirely
possible for it to sound like it is cranking over with good speed but if
available voltage drops below the computer's threshold it won't start.
Connect a voltmeter to the battery and see what it reads. A good battery
should show ~ 12.6V with everything off. Next see what it reads during
cranking. Our '84 reads about 11.6 - 11.8V during cranking. I also suspect
that as our cars age the computer's voltage threshold will tend to creep up
so consider 10.5V an absolute minimum.
Finally, I know of a couple of cases where a flywheel sensor tested OK with
an ohm meter at the harness connector but, on visual inspection (sensor
removed from the bell housing) there was damage evident on the end of a
sensor. Replacement of the damaged sensor fixed the no-start. I wonder if
your big bump could have somehow also damaged a sensor? (BTW, there are two
flywheel sensors. They are identical but must be connected to the wire
harness correctly)
Here is the link to the Spider L-jet diagnosis page:
http://www.hiperformancestore.com/Ljetspider.htm
Eric Russell
Mebane, NC
http://home.mebtel.net/~ejrussell
----- Original Message -----
From: "alfa-digest"
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:23:57 -0700
From: "Amanda Hughes" <[email protected]>
Subject: [alfa] Re: alfa-digest V10 #2112
Hello alfistas,
I wrote in a few months back in reference to an "86 Spider 2000 engine
that would not crank. I hit a bump and lost second gear, then went home
parked the car. I left the next morning and it cranked fine. When I left
the tranny shop it woudn't crank.
I pulled the distributor cap and the rotor button was burnt. I replaced
that and the sensor on the tranny bell housing, that reads the fly weheel
position. I was told the check and see if there was spark fron the coil.
Yes! I checked and the fuel pump is working. I replaced all the plugs.
Every time I try to crank it, the engine turns over but won't catch. I
would love any ideas! Thanks A lot!
Amanda "86 Spider Veloce
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