Starts but won't run - Redux

[calgaryfiat]

Gentlemen and ladies - In my appeal for help let me be as brief and concise as possible:
1. 1980 Spider 2000 FI
2. I've owned the car as an inheritance for over 25 years and in all that time the car has been well maintained, has run great and started each spring.
3. Two weeks ago, took it out for a drive, ran fine. Parked. Tried to start it up the next day and problems began.
4. 10 seconds of cranking to get the engine started, when started it chuggs like a John Deere for 4-5 seconds (might run for 10 seconds with reving to 2000 RPM), Instrument cluster battery light on, then dies and unable to restart again until the next day, when the same thing happens.
5. I have checked the fuel pump, it works.
6. Removed the Cold Start Injector, seems to be operational as it sprays gas nicely for approx. 2 second upon startup
7. Looked at Air Flow Sensor, it seems to be in good shape, but unsure how to test.
8. Fuel Pressure regulator, took off the return hose (vacuum hose) and tried to start - fuel gushed out of the bottom (return hose nipple) - is this normal?
9. This might be (probably is) related, but on the drive the day before all these issues started happening, I noticed that the stereo flickered on and off a few times, which was strange - I hope to god this is not an electrical issue....
10 Vexed because it ran fine, one day and nothing the next...

I had searched the forum to try to find a resolution to my present issue and found this posting:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... +then+dies
Unfortunately there was not indication of resolution to the issue....

I'm open to ideas, advice, comments and criticism !

[SteinOnkel]

8. Fuel Pressure regulator, took off the return hose (vacuum hose) and tried to start - fuel gushed out of the bottom (return hose nipple) - is this normal?

What? Which hose did you take off?

Fuel should never be in the vacuum hose on the fuel pressure regulator. Gushing out of a disconnected return line would be normal, though.

In any case, it reads like you've been doing a fair amount of guessing. First up, measure the fuel pressure.

[tima01864]

Could be the sensor on the cooling T. Without that the car will run lousy if you can start it. Inexpensive replacement. What Stieonkle said?

[redcars]

+1 on both replies.

[calgaryfiat]

SteinOnkel - my bad - I meant to say return hose. You're right tho, I am guessing.
I could take to a mechanic, but what fun would that be? I'm learning - thanks for your suggestion.
I do have a pressure gauge, what pressure should the fuel pump be at?

[calgaryfiat]

tima01864 - where is this sensor located? Thanks !

[tima01864]

On the Tee, From Radiator to thermostat, Located or should be under the bleeder. There is a connector attached to it. That sometimes breaks from the heat.

[seabeelt]

Also remove the distributor cap and check the magnetic pick up. Sometimes the wires wear through or the insulation just croaks due to heat.