Engine stopped at 50 miles per hour...

[nicdelucca]

OK Guys...I am new to the forum...New to Fiats and new to auto repair...So please go easy on me...I bought a Fiat Spider Convertible 1980 a couple months ago...I have yet to find an affordable, capable mechanic here in Ft. Lauderdale and my car is acting up...Yesterday, I was cruising along at a good clip and suddenly I noticed the tach die...Next thing I know I'm coasting into a parking lot and calling AAA...I tried, but could not get the car to start...It had plenty of crank, but just wouldn't turn over...I could smell gas as I pushed the accelerator...Anyway...I have it towed and leave her over night...Today, she started right up...I'm afraid to drive her anywhere now, fearing she'll just cut out on me like before...I'm thinking a sensor or something, but without a place to do diagnostics, I may be screwed...Any ideas where I can have a mechanic start to look???

[So Cal Mark]

I'd look at the ignition module, they tend to act up when hot

[Europa]

Is your car carburated or fuel injected?

One of our members, Gunsmith, who lives in Palm Beach knows a good FIAT mechanic shop in his area. I know of a good Alfa/FIAT mechanic in North Miami. Don't know anyone in Broward county.

[mbouse]

hey, nicdelucca !!

welcome to the site. is your '80 carbureted or fuel injected? please stop by the "introductions" section and tell us about yourself and show us some pictures of your car.

in addition to the control module, look at the 14 gauge wire connections to the coil, make sure they are clean and tight.

check the leads from the magnetic pickup inside the distributor. this insulation is susseptible to heat and age. once those wires lose insulation, they short out and cause the problems you experienced. and of course, the connections TO the control module must be secure as well.

then, non-heat related, the big white connector right behind the ignition switch has been known to cause lots of erratic behavior as well.. clean and tighten these connections.

[rlux4]

You have the year of car that could be either carb'd or FI. Which one you have will make a difference of what could be the cause of this problem. If it's FI, I may know what could be causing your problem.
Ron

[nicdelucca]

Sorry guys...It's a 1980 Spider 2000 and yes...it's fuel injected...Wires and distributor cap are pretty new...

[narfire]

Pop the dist. cap take the rotor off and have a look at the mag.pickup wires. They have a tendancy to dry up and break or fray and engine stops. Easy fix,think a new one is about $40. The white wire can fall down and contact the manifold and melt the thing as well if not tied back/routed well.

[rlux4]

Fused power to the dual relay comes from a brown with white stripe wire. It has an inline fuse that is up behind the main fuse panel. The original fuse holder can sometimes cause an intermittent problem like you experienced. It is made in such a way that it can loose and then regain contact from the jiggling of normal driving. Find this wire, and while the car is running, push and pull gently on wire at both ends of the fuse holder. See if this makes the car die. If it is loosing good contact, the fuel pump stops getting the 12V power.
Ron