79 Spider won't idle

[dragracer]

My 79 Spider 2000 has been sitting in a shed for about 12 years waiting for me to resume the restoration process.
I pulled it out last month and after replacing a portion of the wiring harness inside the car eatten up by rats, changing the oil, and cleaning out the gas tank(new fuel filters installed)), the car fired right up and idled great. I had to replace some brake hoses and a few other odds and ends to put the car on the road just to check things out before i started on the body work. The car drove fine and ran perfectly. It never failed to start and always idled good. Took it out for a 40 mile drive yesterday and before i got home it started to cut off each time i came to a stop. It cranked right back up after pressing the accelerator a bit and brought me back home safely. Since the car has been sitting prior to this, i took the carb off to clean it up thinking the primary jets were clogged- `to my surprise the carb was just as clean inside as it was when i rebuilt it 13 years ago. I put the carb back on but the car still won't idle. I did check the solenoid above the accelerator pump to see if it clicks when power is applied and it sounds like its opening/closing. I did partly close the choke with my hand and the motor seemed to stay running making me think a jet is clogged. I took the top of the carb off and sprayed carb cleaner through all jets and it came out of the spray bar just as it should. I put the top of the carb back on and the car still won't idle unless the choke is partly shut. WHAT gives here????????

Please help me with this problem. I'm confused. Any pointers from those more experienced than me would be most helpful.

Thanks in advance for yor assistance.

[stefhahn]

Maybe its a clogged idle solenoid jet.... remove the idle solenoid and pull of its jet (brass at the front) - be careful not to bend it - blow it free - put the jet back on but don't put the solenoid back to the card, plug in the green cable to the solenoid - turn the key into driving position then hold the solenoid tip to the carb - it should click multiple times (ahem... clickericklickclericlick....).

Additional idea: what sort of fuel pump are you using - the original mechanical or an electric pump? Once upon a time I had a broken (small rip) diaphragm in the mechanical fuel pump - with very similar symptoms.

ciao,
Stefan

[bradartigue]

Most likely the 12v idle solenoid isn't working. This is the barrel looking thing screwed into the side of the carb. It should have +12v leading to it. If it doesn't work the car doesn't idle.

[dragracer]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I did check the idle solenoid to see if it clicks. I heard it click once- not sure if its suppose to do it multiple times. How will it know if its actually working other than the clicking sounds?? I think i have another carb i can rob a solennoid from just for test purposes.

I replaced/rebuilt the fuel pump not long before i stopped driving the car- its mechanical. That not to say the pump isn't bad. I did do a flow test on the return line at the carb and fuel flowed freely. The float is adjusted properly as well.

Will let you know what i find once i swap out the solenoid.

Please keep the information coming.

[dragracer]

Quick update on the idle issue. I did replace the idle solenoid with one from an earlier model carb eventhough the original solenoid was clicking. The car idles now but is running right. It seems to idle higher now and resetting the idle speed screw to the lowest point will not bring the idle down as it was before the replacement solenoid was installed. Is it possible that not all of the solenoids are the same??? Do i need to located one specific to the 1979? Also am now experiencing a flat spot when i accelerate. I initially suspected the accelerator pump was not working but when looking into the carb and opening the throtle i can see fuel squirting from the jet.

I decided to order a rebuild kit for the carb and will disassemble and rebuild the carb this week. Hopefully i will figure out the cause of my troubles.

Anyone have thoughts on why the car stumbles on acceleration now???

[stefhahn]

Hi -

the solenoids are the same - but not the jet at the tip. Exchange them (see my previous post) then you should be there.

ciao,
Stefan