78 Spider freak out

[theranman]

So here's the deal. 78 Spider 124, acquired it a few weeks ago. I knew it was going to have issues. Runs and drives but barely, went into this knowing it would be a challenge. So previous owner had some pretty serious oil leakage issues, from around the cap supposedly. Everything under the hood had a coat of oil on it. The hood, the sides, every motor component. This was not going to be my first option, but I know at some point it was going to have to be done. Got some Degreaser and prepared to go to work. I didn't just dive in and start spraying and washing everything there, I carefully covered the carburetor and distributor with plastic bags and rubber bands, same with the alternator in the coil, and I went around this very gently. The Degreaser was used very sparingly, and the water they used was a very soft shower spray, mainly on the sides and the bays, not so much on the motor itself. Any water was soft and indirect. So Upon finishing, my electric fan would not turn on, and I lost my left headlight. Still retain the other one. Have to live wires going to the fan, 2 live wires going to the sensor at the bottom of the radiator. If I crossed these to the fan will start. No power at several fuses in the fuse box. Today the right low beam went out.

[spider2081]

Sounds very Fiat.
I would start by inspecting the fuse panel. If any of the fuses are not make with brass parts I would buy new ones. Before replacing the fuses clean and retention all the fuse panel contacts. Then install the new fuses. I am pretty sure most of your fuses should be 8 amp and a couple should be 16 amp.
Then in the engine bay I think a 78 Spider has common ground connections on the forward area of both fender wells. I remove the nut holding the metal multi-terminal connector to the fender well. Clean the multi-connector terminal with a wire brush. Clean the fender well area where they mate. Be sure there is a star washer between the fender well and the multi-terminal connector and then replace the connector and all the ground wires to it. The ground wires should attach requiring firm pressure.

I consider these procedures standard maintenance of our cars. Let us know how you make out

[theranman]

Thanks for the help will be getting to it shortly.

[DieselSpider]

Yes start at the ground pods on each fender well as you could have knocked some of the connections there loose while cleaning. On the fan unfortunately if cleaning the plug on the power leads nearest to it does not solve the issue then the potting on the switch was violated by the oil saturation and water got into it or the wires broke right where they go into the potting from being moved around. If you have any doubts about the condition of the radiator then just get an external adjustable fan switch and strap the sensor to a straight section of radiator hose.

On a 78 look up the brown wire fix and consider putting in relays for the starter, ignition and headlights drawing fused power directly off the main battery cable under the hood to reduce the load on the ignition switch. This will extend the life of the starter and ignition switch and make the car quite a bit more reliable.

[theranman]

Will do. Thanks a bunch!