Idle Stop Solenoid revisited

[CharlieB]

Thanks guys, well I just cleaned and reassembled the carb but have not tried starting the car yet. I did check the Weber diagram just to make sure everything was where it should be.
I doubled checked the float settings and it was correct.
As far as the electrical side goes, I replaced the points and condensers about 1,000 miles ago. I do need to recheck the timing though, so I'll check that out this afternoon. Would my symptoms suggest timing that is too far advanced?
I live in Cincinnati (not for much longer hopefully) and we don't have a Fiat club here. There is at least one member of the forum from here, he and I have scratched our heads together on a a few other issues. I'll try to track him down.
I have tried shaking the wires under the steering column at the switch, but cant seem to replicate the problem.
Thanks Bryan and Peter, I'll keep you posted (like it or not).
Charlie

[CharlieB]

Ok I pulled the plugs and all except for #4 had a lot of carbon. #2 had carbon and a little oil. The timing seems to be where it should be so I have not changed it.

[kilrwail]

So the carbon indicates the mixture is rich and oil indicates leaking rings. Did you change the plugs? Did you check the dwell angle (points gap)?

[CharlieB]

No I didn't check the dwell, not really sure how to but I'll look it up. Have not changed plugs yet.

[kilrwail]

You would need a dwell meter, which may be hard to find these days. Otherwise use a feeler gauge to set the points gap at PRECISELY 0.017" (seventeen thou). Precision here is critical, especially without a dwell meter to check it.

[kilrwail]

No surprise - Amazon has several automotive multimeters that include a dwell angle function.

[CharlieB]

Ok I set the points gap and changed the plugs. The car started up on the first try and idled like a champ. Then it started raining so I have not driven it yet. The engine does sound better though, we will see this afternoon.

[kilrwail]

Sounds good!

[CharlieB]

Well it idles ok, but as soon as it warms up its still not running right. It's still cutting off at stops. I'll fiddle with it some more after work but I think i might need to have a mechanic look at it. I hate to do that but I also hate to waste nice driving weather on trying to fix it.
I'll see how it goes this afternoon.
Thanks for the help gents
Charlie

[kilrwail]

I suggest changing the points and condenser.

[CharlieB]

I replaced the points, condensers and cap not too long ago.

[kilrwail]

Good. One more thing - clean out both idle jets (unless you recently did). I've been going through something similar all summer, where it would stumble on acceleration (especially from rest) and occasionally stop running at a stop light. Fiddling with the mixture didn't help, but I replaced the plugs, points, condenser and fuel filter and cleaned out the jets (which were clogged). Now it runs like a champ.

[CharlieB]

Peter,
The jets are clean. I have not replaced the fuel filter in probably 3 years so I'll do that.
Now my coil has never been replaced, that i know of anyway. So it's long overdue. Not sure if it's relevant to my problem but it couldn't hurt to try.
Thanks
Charlie

[kilrwail]

There's a condenser down by the coil as well - it wouldn't hurt to replace that. Generally coils last a long time, so I wouldn't expect that to be the problem.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Charlie, I'm sorry this has been such a stubborn problem, and I'd hate to see you spend more on parts (and time) than just taking it to a good mechanic who might be able to fix it right away.

Ignition coils don't really wear out, and so I doubt that's your problem. If the coil were damaged or corroded internally, that's a different story, but it's pretty rare.

One other question that I meant to ask earlier: When the engine cuts out, does it stumble and hesitate and then die, or does it just shut off immediately like you turned the ignition key off? If the former, most likely a fuel problem. If the latter, most likely an ignition problem.

-Bryan