Greetings from N. Idaho

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DocGraphics
Posts: 639
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:43 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 spider
Location: Coeur d'Alene Idaho

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by DocGraphics »

Good job, congratulations! Sounds like a great deal.

Once you get her going we'll have to plan a meet.
I just had Jim (schnauser, another member here w/ a 76) stop by tonight with his son & son's freshly painted 79 to show it off.
We talked about putting a run together this spring & maybe we can all meet, last time we did this, just Jim & I, we ran up to Sandpoint for breakfast.
Don Raugust
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
majicwrench

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by majicwrench »

This is good, now I have a Fellow Fiater in Sandpoint and one in CDA!! I might actually get up the nerve for a road trip. Where are we gonna meet??
BTW, I'm in LIbby, with a 72.
Sounds like a good buy on that car. Should be a pretty straightforward fix, is a simple FI system that most people make waaaaaay tooooo big of a deal about.
Oh, and Docgraphic, I still have something for ya. So we gotta meet up.
Keith
marty3d

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by marty3d »

Wow! I'm truly looking forward to meeting a couple Fiaters... I am a teacher most of the time, and next week is spring break. So, I will need to "git er done" and make some tracks.

Regarding the fuel injection, I looked up the info on the Bosch L Jetronic system and it does look fairly simple. I have spent a couple years working on Suzuki and Geo motors with their own fuel injection (probably based on Bosch LE Jetronic). So, I am not too concerned about it. I expect to find a poor ground or some other weak connection that allows power flowing to the turn signals to draw down the power going to the ignition or fuel injection grounds. (are the injectors constantly powered and grounded through the computer?)
majicwrench

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by majicwrench »

WIthout looking it up, yes, inj are powered (thru a relay methinks) and then ground thru computer.
I would stick a voltmeter on the power wire(s) to the computer and turn on some accessories and see if it drops. Do the same at the injectors. Then you can do the same at some ground, till you find something amiss. Should be fun.
Keith
marty3d

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by marty3d »

Well the car runs now. :mrgreen: The issue appears to be the ignition switch. I have a plan to restore it: some contact cleaner to clean out any grease followed by a dip in a citric acid bath in an ultrasonic cleaner. I do this to rifle cartridges prior to reloading and they turn out sparkling. I will let you know how it turns out.

On another front, it seems that the keys have mysteriously migrated to my better half's key chain. :( She says I can borrow it on occasion...
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aj81spider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 1526
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chelmsford, MA

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by aj81spider »

That's why you need two!
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
marty3d

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by marty3d »

The ignition switch did prove to be the problem - but not the contacts. Anyway, I replaced the switch and the car runs well. All the electrical issues resolved.

Drove the car to work this morning for the first time - my commute is on highway 200 which covers the North shore of Lake Pend O'reille - honestly one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. That's why we drive these cars. :D

An example:
Image
marty3d

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by marty3d »

To DocGraphics and majicwrench, are either of you planning to come to Sandpoint for the Lost in the 50's car parade?
User avatar
DocGraphics
Posts: 639
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:43 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 spider
Location: Coeur d'Alene Idaho

Re: Greetings from N. Idaho

Post by DocGraphics »

Don't think we'll be up for the parade but should come for the show on Saturday
Don Raugust
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
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