Robert:
Where should I start looking for trouble with a no-start problem on an '82
GTV-6, knowing the following:
Ran fine when parked a few days before. I rolled it out of the garage so I
had space to work on a different Alfa.
Weather was below freezing and the car sat out all day. Tried to start it
after dinner and it would turn over just fine but would not fire even a
little.
First, determine WHY it's not starting. Is there spark and is there fuel?
Spark:
- Put your inductive timing light lead on the wire from the coil to the
distributor. Turn the engine over and see if you get strong, sharp flashes.
If you're getting flashes, you're getting spark. If not, you've got a
problem, and now the path is to determine why you're not getting spark.
Fuel:
- Start by taking the large intake hose off of the airflow meter. Turn on
the ignition, reach into the back of the airflow meter and gently push the
metering flap open. You should here the fuel pump start and run. Hold the
fuel return hose, connected to the fuel regulator, in your hand. Do you
feel fuel running back to the tank? If the fuel pump runs and you can feel
fuel flowing, you've got fuel to the injectors. No fuel? Then the path is
to find out why.
If you're getting fuel and spark, then the next check is to see if the
injectors are opening. Get a steel rod, place the tip on the body of an
injector, the other end in your ear and listen as someone turns the engine
over. You should hear ticking. No ticking? Pull a connector off of an
injector and place a 12-volt test light between the two contacts of the
connector. Turn the engine over and you should see the light flash. No
flash? Then the ECU isn't opening and closing the injectors. The path is
then to find out why. The combination relay is a common culprit in this
case.
That's the start. Let us know how you're progressing.
Rich Wagner
Montrose, CO, USA
'82 GTV6
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