Engine continues to run after switch is off

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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Docdawg
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 124 FI

Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by Docdawg »

My 81 FI spider all of a sudden would keep running after I turned the ignition switch off. Bought new switch and installed it but the engine still keeps running after I turn the switch off and remove key. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem. Car has run well for the last 2 years and now this.
Add: I have a battery cutoff and have discovered that even with the key In or on the lights on dash are bright and their is constant power for some reason.
Last edited by Docdawg on Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by RRoller123 »

Does it run well, as in normally, or cough and sputter on?
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
GeorgeT
Posts: 379
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:41 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by GeorgeT »

My '82 started doing this after I replaced the fuel pump. When the pump died, the first place I looked was for a bad fuse (in-line fuse under the left side of the dash); after replacing the bad fuse, the pump still was dead so I replaced it. After replacing, the car fired right up but when I switched it off it continued to run (pulled the coil wire to kill the engine). I was stumped until I remembered replacing that fuse. Pulled the fuse and all was well - I concluded that a P.O. did some rewiring.

You will have to get out your trusty Volt/Ohm meter and trace the wires to see which is "Hot" when it should be dead and check a wiring diagram to see where it can be energized when it shouldn't be.
Docdawg
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 124 FI

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by Docdawg »

RRoller123 wrote:Does it run well, as in normally, or cough and sputter on?
Car runs very well and can be driven with no problems
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RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by RRoller123 »

wiring problem for sure.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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danaspider
Posts: 169
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000 79 vw bus
Location: Newcastle, WA

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by danaspider »

I have seen this before, on a Porsche. On my 86 Porsche it was the dual relay causing the issue. On another Porsche, which I never saw, but the problem was caused by a shorted light bulb. If the car was working and just started to have this issue I would doubt it is a wiring issue, but a failure in the run circuit. There is a diode in the circuit that if it shorts then the car will continue to run after the key is shut off.

You need to just start digging a bit and you will find the answer.
Luck Dana

79 Spider 2000
carb
It all about the romace of the car and owner
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divace73
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:59 am
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat 124 Spider Silver
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Engine continues to run after switch is off

Post by divace73 »

is the new switch you bough an original sipea unit?
I know I have a few strange issues using and after market unit I bought from either Greece or Egypt??

I reckon it has something to do with your new switch or as mentioned the double relay. (Assuming the wiring is standard)
Cheers David
-=1980 silver Fiat 124 Spider=-
If you want to see pics of my car (and other random stuff) >>click here<< OR
see my >>You tube channel<<
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