ignition cut out

[pottsthomas]

I had a starter motor issue for a couple years, where you turn the key and nothing happens 15 times, and suddenly everything works normally for 2 weeks, and then same thing happens. That seemed to go away after some serious work was done on the starter, and the key turns the motor every time. The latest malady is that after the car gets hot, the ignition will cut out, motor dies, no red light in the dash, but the starter motor will work fine. Wait a while, jiggle things a little, and the ignition light comes back on and you are off and running.

So I guess there's a ground somewhere that's suspect. Or do you think its the ignition switch? (which was suggested to replace when I had the starter issues, but I never did.)

[seabeelt]

Ignition switch

[Fi8spider]

Sounds familiar. x 2 for Ignition switch.
Tell tale sign is if you feel the back of the ignition switch when it's at fault and the heat is unbearable to touch.

Some years ago I had my auto electrician put a relay on the starter switch wiring and it sorted the problem.

I haven't searched the forum here to see if there has been a diagram posted on how to DIY but I'd imagine help wouldn't be too far away if you asked.

[aj81spider]

Here's how I put ignition relays on my car. Several others weighed in with variants on the approach. It's pretty simple if you decide to do it.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... ay#p183024

[pottsthomas]

Thanks guys, I ordered a new switch, so we'll see if that does it without further trouble shooting. Its a bit chilly out in the shed these days, but the switch switch (haha) seems like a quick and easy chore.

[baltobernie]

Yes, it is very easy to do (the right way), but impossible (the wrong way).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G39ot4hKKyQ

[pottsthomas]

Just confirming the switch was the answer. Easy fix. Car has been inspected and daily driving with no issues.
As an aside, pulling the old intake manifold and carb, replacing with Ricambi's 1800 single plane and a 32/36 Weber has really
awakened this motor. Never saw a smoother 4 cylinder, starts instantly, even sounds better with a less muffled intake roar when you get on it.

[pottsthomas]

re-awakening this thread. after I replaced the switch a battery drain started. I didn't put 2 plus 2 together but a guy at the local shop started tracing the drain and came back to the switch. Was it installed improperly, or did I just buy a cheap switch. Anyone else come across this. I've been living with it the past couple years with using a battery cut off, but I'm thinking its needs to be resolved.

[spider2081]

If the ignition switch you installed is a Lada ignition switch there is a good possibility it is wired incorrectly. I believe when using a Lada ignition switch the terminals labeled "INT' remain powered when the key is removed from the switch. Also the original Sipea brand switch used by Fiat in most Spiders had 2 separate sets of contacts for the "hot in start and run" position of the switch. So there is some wire changes that are necessary to make a switch manufactured for a Lada to function in a Spider.

[profcucchi]

If the ignition switch you installed is a Lada ignition switch there is a good possibility it is wired incorrectly. I believe when using a Lada ignition switch the terminals labeled "INT' remain powered when the key is removed from the switch. Also the original Sipea brand switch used by Fiat in most Spiders had 2 separate sets of contacts for the "hot in start and run" position of the switch. So there is some wire changes that are necessary to make a switch manufactured for a Lada to function in a Spider.

Edit:

found the answer!

Thanks everyone