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Engine not running

Tiny
RICCARDO
  • MEMBER
  • ALFA ROMEO SPIDER
Alfa spider 2 litre 1993 S4

Just got the car 3 months ago.
After using it for a few weeks it wouldnt start suddenly, thought the battery so replaced it. After a few weeks the same thing happened. The engine would not turn over but all lights on on dash as normal. No noise of starter problem or engine turning just silence.
checked out all electrics over the battery and found all readings satisfactory. Car always starts right away with a jump
Today wouldnt start checked battery and it was flat
no drain of power showing. Checked earths and all ok
starter and alternator seem to be working fine. Replaced battery to take old one away to rule out a bad battery
power readings perfect over battery when ticking over and at 2000 revs.
Ruled out bad starter as rocked it in 4th and tapped with hammer and still wouldnt start, anyway a jump shouldnt help if starter jammed.
should I turn my thoughts to a resistor at coil problem if there is one, or the ignition system?
all help appreciated
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Friday, May 11th, 2007 AT 6:11 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
The problem could be in the altinator, even though it puts out enough charge when running it could be grounding out when the car is shut off. You say it starts every time with a jump. When it happens and the car wont start are the lights come on bright or low as if the battery is low? You can take it to a auto store and have the charging system checked and they can also check to see if there is a drain when the car is off.
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Sunday, May 13th, 2007 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
MAHAVIR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
5 :) :)
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Monday, July 23rd, 2007 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
DAVID LOBER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had same problem when I first got my 93. Ammeter showed 130 milli amp current drain.
Found lights way under dash and one was switched on. Also check light in engine compartment and trunk if so equipped. An ammeter will indicate parasitic leak. Anything over 30 milliamps is abnormal. Could also be an uninsulated section of wire grounding out somewhere. Good luck
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
PHILBDP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1986 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER
  • 85,000 MILES
I have 1986 Alfa Spider that won't start. Car has been sitting for a year. I replaced battery, fuel tank, fuel sender unit, both fuel pumps. I seems that the in tank pumps is not getting any power. The car cranks fine, any ideas would be appreciated.
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Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need spark, fuel and compression to run. Make sure you have spark by removing a wires and check for spark while cranking. Check for compression while the plugs are out as well. Spray a little carb cleaner into the air filter are to see if it tries to start to verify no fuel pressure.

Roy
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-1
Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALFACARL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 70,000 MILES
Car had been running great.
Driving home one day the radio starting going off and on and the flashers would not work. Got home and the next day it would not start.
Charged the battery and it would not turn over. Lights and wipers & ac all work. Still no radio or emergency flashing lights.
I may have hit the fuse box with my foot (it is under the steering wheel) because 1 big fuse (12v) was hanging down. I bought a new one and put it where I thought the old one was (there are two spots and 1 doesn't have any big box fuse in it ) I have tried both spots and nothing happens.
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Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

We do not have any information on Alfa's in our data base as yet, so I will go with the usual suspicions with a problem like this.

This electrical problem will be one of a poor connection somewhere I feel, so I would first start with the battery, clean & tight terminals, ensure that there is no corrosion inside the terminal wall, re check all fuses, use a test light, check that power is flowing through each fuse, you may have a corrosion problem on the fuse terminal, often seen with glass type fuses, if you can check behind the fuse box, as if you did give it a kick you may have loosened a terminal in behind the panel, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)

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