Still not running

[So Cal Mark]

gee, it seems like we discussed both of those things on the phone over a week ago

[rlux4]

Thanks guys. Dave, now I do feel better.
Mark, I swear I checked it all before. I got to feeling that I'd check something, go to be 4 hours after my bedtime, and the next day it had changed itself while I wasn't looking. Fiat gremlins? I don't know, but things were different even after my wife verified my settings.
But don't worry Mark, it's not due to being 60, it's just frazzled brain. So you're safe, at least on the approaching 60 part.
Mike, amen WooHoo!
Thanks John, did you see the control diagnostics pages?
Ron

[ventura ace]

Glad to hear that it's running, Ron. Did the power improve when you advanced the timing? See you tomorrow night at Merkel's!

Alvon

[rlux4]

Yes it did Ace. She's downright perky. I'm stoked about having it going in time for Merkel's.
I'll bring your gear and torque wrench with me, OK?
Ron

[kristoj]

Thanks John, did you see the control diagnostics pages?
Ron

Yes, thanks. I downloaded the pages last night and (literally) stayed up late in bed to read the whole diagnostice procedure from start to finish -- even re-reading certain sections involving testing the double relay. What a great resource! You know, a tool like that manual takes the mystery out it and makes you realize that the FI system is actually fairly simple. Thanks again for sharing!

I have previously replaced some of the sensors in the system and (like a lot of other parts I've swapped) was considering changing out the double relay as a proactive measure, as mine is original. However, after learning that your aftermarket double relay failed just two months into its service life, I think I'll leave well enough alone for now. And that isn't a cheap part either!

[ga.spyder]

Being a contractor and a Fiat owner...its obvious you are not completely sane or in possesion of a full set of brain cells!! At least you have the good sense to own a 82 model .If you want to feel better about a little f.i. glitch ,go back and read some posts re. carb problems!(there are many).Glad to hear she is on the road to recovery,and thanks for that link to the diagnostic page.
Craig

[rlux4]

John and Craig, I got those diagrams from Kelly Dicker from the Mira site, he runs Wine Country Motors in Napa. I don't know how I would have been able to get the car up and running myself without them other than starting to replace everything untlil I got to the dual relay, which would have been last because I just did it. I'm pretty sure the old new one got fried when the mechanic grounded the hot lead to the starter. He had a pretty good spark. There are two constant 12V lines that go to the relay and one of them is a 10 gauge brown wire direct from the battery, the other is the brown with white wire that comes from the inline fuse. So I don't think I can blame the relay.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

I'm glad you got your car running, Ron, but wouldn't it have been easier to lift the body and drive an early model car under it?

[mbouse]

right you are Denise. Like an early '80, or even older. Something with a carburetor, and NO computer.

[So Cal Mark]

I think in Rons' case it wasn't so much a computer fault as operator error

[mbouse]

would that be considered a Key Punch error?

[ga.spyder]

Carburetor.....isnt that one of those things they used to put on cars? You know...in the old days! Here we go again.
Craig

[kristoj]

Lord knows carburetors are not at all finicky. That's why they are still found on production cars today. Oh, they're not? Well, that's why they are still used on motorcycles. Not them either? Surely Harley has stuck with carbs, right? NO????

"Carburetor is French for 'don't mess with it'"

Mike, calling the Bosch ECU a "computer" is a bit of a stretch. I am reasonably certain that the quartz movement in your wristwatch has more computing power. Or are you still wearing one of those wind up watches?

[rlux4]

Hey gang Racydave was only kidding when he said you could all start picking on Ron again. . . . Wasn't he?
And John's right, basically all the ECU does is complete a ground circuit in response to a signal from the sensors. Really very basic and easy to diagnose, if a person has the diagnostic keys.
Denise, that's easy for you to say, you never have car trouble.(X19- )
Mark: No more potato salad for you buddy!
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

ooops! I misspoke, it was mobile mechanic error