Re: Mysterious failure to start

From: Theo
email: theo@gammaconsortium.com
Date: 07 May 2006
Time: 14:59

Message

I can't remember if it's the same feed to the starter solenoid that energises the fuel pump when the engine is being cranked, but you are probably right Peter that since the fuel pump is getting current the ignition switch might be OK. Peter Still had a very similar problem that puzzled him for ages. When the car was warm, the starter solenoid would not engage and it turned out that he was only getting 7 Volts to the solenoid when the engine was warm but the full 12 Volts when everything was cold. I think he never found the reason for the low voltage and simply wired a relay in circuit to switch 12 Volts from the battery to the solenoid. Voltage as low as 7 volts is still enough to drive the relay. Maybe if Peter Still is reading this he can let us have the full story? Classics Monthly (used to be called simply 'Classics') is a well-respected classic car magazine. In fact they did the article "Powerful Ambition" which was a group test of big Italian coupes using my Gamma Coupe, a Fiat 130 Coupe and an Alfa Montreal. Classics Monthly also did an article on my Fiat 131 Sport so I know them quite well. Let's hope they print your article. I suspect they will, as they seem to appreciate Italian classics. If you have some photos from the day then please send them to me and I'll post them here.