1983Pinin

[1983Pinin]

Hi everyone,
I used to lurk here, remembering the fun, thrills, pain and joy I had back in the late 70's with my 1970-something 124 Spider and an 850 Spider before that!.
Well, I took the plunge and bought a 1983 Spider 2000, and assuming it starts this weekend, will be driving it home.
It was always garaged by the former owner who passed away, and stored but not run for the last 4 years. The body and undercarage had the least rust I've seen in a while.
Wish me luck! When I go to start her up this weekend , I'm bringing a new battery, voltmeter, starting spray ( do they still make that stuff?) 4 gallons of Sunoco 94, some brake fluid ( it's at min level ), fuses, metric tools , wire brush (for battery contacts) and crossed fingers. Oh-- and a hammer...
I hope to tap into the knowledge base here as I strive to keep another Spider alive, assuming I get her home!
--Peter

[brackie1]

Send us pic when you get a chance.

Gene
North Carolina

[vandor]

Hope it's last tank was with non-ethanol fuel. If it does not start, but gets spark and the fuel pump operates, then tap on the injectors, they may be stuck.
Once you get it running, or even before, remove the fuel sender and shine a flashlight into the tank and check for corrosion and debris. Fuel tanks are now very reasonably priced, so if yours needs one it's not really worth getting it cleaned.
The other thing I'd check out ASAP is the condition of the ignition pickup coil wires inside the distributor. They tend to lose their insulation and short out.
Good luck, and please post some pics!

[1983Pinin]

Thanks for the pic requests and for the tips.
I'm going to hold off on the pictures until I have the car in my driveway.
BTW this car hasthe battery in the trunk kind of loose on the right side of the trunk. Didn't this car typically have the battery towards the front of the trunk ? I guess it doesn't matter, although I don't recall how the batter was being held down.

[Exit98]

Where you from? Where's this adventure taking place?

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084

And here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[vandor]

>BTW this car hasthe battery in the trunk kind of loose on the right side of the trunk.

That is where it goes on the 83-85 Pininfarinas.

> I guess it doesn't matter, although I don't recall how the batter was being held down.

With this:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/EL0-0 ... 24-1983on/

[1983Pinin]

Where you from? Where's this adventure taking place?

heading to stroudsburg PA from Paling NY.
prvious owner lost the ignition keys, so now I'm installing a new ignityion swsitch first

[vandor]

Ugh! Getting the old one out without the keys will be a pain. Here's how to get it out once you drilled the old lock out and can turn the lock cylinder:

http://www.autoricambi.us/cgi/commerce. ... moval.html

[1983Pinin]

Thanks to all for tips and links. Due to the drama with the key, I was not able to get the car. This past weekend and will try again Friday the third. He broke the key in the trunck and we got the piece outn but after he tried to have a new key made with no luck ( the said thay didn't have a blank) he lost the piece. He has since bought an ignition switch ( with its new key) and supposedly he has a trunk key so I can change the battery.
So this car originally has an ignition key that opens trunk and doors, and another key just for the trunk?
--Peter

[vandor]

No, the ignition key only works in the ignition and the other key opens the doors, trunk, and glovebox.

[1983Pinin]

You are right on regarding the fuel system. I brought 4 gallons of Sunoco Ultra and was going to siphon out the old stuff, but nothing came out. This should have been a clue. I put the new battery in and started to crank-- cranking was strong of course, and after smelling gas I stopped cranking and shot starter fluid in. She tried to start strong, then cut off again. Then - noticed the gas smell was strong-- was leaking under the car. So close! Leak seamed to be from the fuel filter ( in front of the pump, right?), and also from the return line under the driver side.
Is this diagnostic?
So - guess I now need a tow.
Suggestions welcome!
--Peter

Hope it's last tank was with non-ethanol fuel. If it does not start, but gets spark and the fuel pump operates, then tap on the injectors, they may be stuck.
Once you get it running, or even before, remove the fuel sender and shine a flashlight into the tank and check for corrosion and debris. Fuel tanks are now very reasonably priced, so if yours needs one it's not really worth getting it cleaned.
The other thing I'd check out ASAP is the condition of the ignition pickup coil wires inside the distributor. They tend to lose their insulation and short out.
Good luck, and please post some pics!

[1983Pinin]

Looks like I missed a step in this story.
I looked around on this site and found some tips on getting the ignition key "code" from the switch itself. There are numbers on the ignition switch trim ( or maybe you pry the trim off and the code is below ), but in any case the previous owner had a locksmith look for this code, he found it and was able to make a key in 15 mins. That's how I got to the next part of the story where I actually started the car...
--Peter

No, the ignition key only works in the ignition and the other key opens the doors, trunk, and glovebox.

[Europa]

Peter, check out this link... http://www.keys4classics.com/html/Fiat124Sp.html

If you have a key code, they can get one cut for you. If you just need a blank and can have a locksmith cut it for you, I have one.

Looks like I missed a step in this story.
I looked around on this site and found some tips on getting the ignition key "code" from the switch itself. There are numbers on the ignition switch trim ( or maybe you pry the trim off and the code is below ), but in any case the previous owner had a locksmith look for this code, he found it and was able to make a key in 15 mins. That's how I got to the next part of the story where I actually started the car...
--Peter

No, the ignition key only works in the ignition and the other key opens the doors, trunk, and glovebox.