A Couple Issues

[Eastlight]

Hi,

I have a couple issues that are nothing urgent but must be delt with eventually.
1980 Spider, excellent condition except for the following:

The heater levers are all in the down position and I am still getting an abundance of heat, noticeably warm around the levers and brake handle. It is only an issue when driving in the rain with the top up.

Speaking of rain. The top slowly drips water (what else) at each corner of the windshield. It appears as though something might fit into the rubber moulding but don't know what, if anything. The top is new (vinyl) with an oversize rear window (I was told it is much larger than the originals).

A toggle switch added under the dashboard manually activates the radiator cooling fan. A wire from the switch is spliced into the fan motor leads. How can I find out if the fan will operate on its own via the engine block sensor, without intentionally overheating the engine?

There is no place to mount my front license plate. Any suggestions, besides the one from an SUV owner, "Just drill a couple holes in the bumper!" Are you insane? Presently, the front license plate is displayed when you raise the passenger side floor mat. So far, that is where it stays until the cops make a fuss.

Thanks,

Rod

[rlux4]

Rod,
The center lever needs to be all the way back to shut the heater valve. The lever on the left is fresh (outside) air. All the way forward is less air, all the way back is more. The lever on the right is the diverter for floor/defroster air flow. If you're like most of us the symbols aren't making sense. Ignore the colors, notice the triangle shape. The peak of the triangle is "least" and the wide base is "more".
Ron

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Rod,
Just had a problem with my fan switch. It was hot wired to run constantly. Car never overheated but I wanted it fixed. Come to the breakfast. You may be able to persuade the all knowing, all seeing, omnipotent master of electric to look at it for you. He is known to us mere mortals as Ralph the Magnificent. (PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN) He squared my electrical problems away in a flash (Pun was intended) Pulled about 300 extra yards of previous owner installed wire out of the Spider. It just kept on coming.
Make a list of parts you need and pm me before the breakfast. Might be able to help you out. George

[Eastlight]

Oh great. The center lever shuts off the heat in the up position as I now understand it. Those levers seem so conveniently stored in the down position where I can't break them. No wonder I stay so warm. Guess that is why Fiat printed owner's manuals in English, for guys like me who doesn't have one anyway and relies on the kindness of other Fiat guys (oh, Blanch Dubois).

I am sure I will be at breakfast, probably eating in my car with the hood open

BTW - A few nights ago I watched a late movie on TV The Mechanic w/Charles Bronson as a professional hit man (ever hear of an amateur hit man?). In the car-chase scene (in Italy), all the main cars were Fiat 128's (I think 128's - anyway 4-door sedans - maybe 2-door - maybe they weren't even cars). A shame to wreck those nice classics.

Thank you all for the help.

Rod

[lanciahf]

Rod I'll bring some tools and see if we can get the radiator fan switch working or at least find out whats up. I'll probably be working alone since George will be busy talking.

[azygoustoyou]

[NJFIAT1981]

Tony and Mike. Your up next. It's George Bashing day!

[lanciahf]

Its not George bashing days its just you & DOUG will be busy talking to someone.

[Exit98]

Hey don't drag me into this. I'm the quiet one.

Ralph, Monza this weekend. Speed Channel at 7:30 AM. GO Massa GO!

[NJFIAT1981]

NOT ME RALPH! It's that Doug guy that starts all the problems. By the wat Doug, that alternator fan is $1000.00 George

[124cso]

The toggle switch has probably been a "bodge" by a PO too lazy to fix a dud sensor switch ? It is amazing what some people do. I'm still trying to trace "foreigner' wiring in mine. I suspect it has had additional / driving / fog lights but dead-ended wires go thru bulkhead and just disappear (without stripping it all out, I can't find them).

Anyway, back to your issue, pull the wires off the radiator sensor/switch and test across pins with a test meter. Should be open when cold. If o.k., put a short/link between the 2 wires and fan should go if it is still wired correct. It shares the horn fuse, so should go without any key in ignition !
If that works, put wires back and need to check radiator unit. Either by just letting it sit idling till it gets hot and see if fan cuts in. If not, flick your switch & cool it down ( best do it outside). Temp varies a bit across models/specs but mine is on by about 180 something.

Otherwise, drain radiator and remove sensor unit from radiator. Fit say 2 foot long wires to contacts and put in one of mum's saucepan on the stove and bring up to a boil. Use a test meter to see if it switches / closes contact when it gets up towards boiling. If not, buy a new one.

[Nancy1340]

Eastlight here is a link to an online manual. http://www.my-spider.de/Owner_s_Manual.pdf

[wikkid]

For the license plate, get or make a license plate mounting backer, maybe some flat stock aluminum with holes drilled for the plate screws, and clip that onto the tube of your bumper. Use hose clamps to mount it up, using inner tube or other rubber sheet material to protect the chrome. That way, you can center the plate as it should be, nice and low so you don't block too much air (less of a winter issue).