1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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Lckitty
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Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:15 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by Lckitty »

Hi experts, my (new to me) 1981 was working great. Then I pulled back the center console to fix the courtesy light . When I put it back I disconnected some wires from the ignition switch and possibly from one of the two relays. Now it won't start.

My problem is that I (not an electrics guy) don't know where the ignition wires go (which posts, 30, 50, 1N, 15 etc) and if an open pin on the 5-pin relay center is ok or something goes there.

Symptoms;
1. Solenoid/starter works fine when red & red/black is powered.
2. Won't start (no coil power) and no power to accessories even when relays' red lead is powered

Questions:
1. Where do the 3 (or 4) ignition wires plug into? 15, 30, 50 etc.... See #s 1, 2, 3, 4 connectors on diagram.
2. What (if anything) plugs into the center of the "Pinks" relay? (if I plug the loose brown - brown/yellow connector there it buzzes bad under power. The accessories do come on but the tack jumps a lot (motor off)). See #5 connector in diagram.

Image

https://imgur.com/gallery/F5QVvYy
Current Stable: Lotus Evora, Fiat 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF-R
spider2081
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Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by spider2081 »

if the photo of the back of the ignition switch is of the one in your 1981 Spider I don't think its an original Sipea ignition switch nor are the relays factory original The back of the ignition switch looks more like a Lada switch which physically fits where the Sipea switch did but electrically operates differently. Possible the relays are an attempt to fool the car into thinking it has the original Sipea switch. At any rate I think the ignition switch/relay wiring are unique to your car.
I think a couple people who follow this site have posted how they wired the Lada ignition switch in their Spider 2000 cars hopefully one of them will be able to help you.
Lckitty
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:15 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by Lckitty »

Hmm, not good news. Thx for the reply. I'm hoping some who understands relays would see what's missing and give some guidance on locations.
Current Stable: Lotus Evora, Fiat 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF-R
SteinOnkel
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Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider 1800

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by SteinOnkel »

None of that is factory. Neither the switch, nor the relays or the junk harbor freight connectors.

2 relays is complete overkill. Don't worry about the center pin on either, they are almost never used.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic.php?t=11625
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by RRoller123 »

I cannot be sure this will help, but this is how my Lada ignition switch was wired when I got the car.

Image
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
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Lckitty
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:15 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by Lckitty »

Super helpful diagram!! Thx. I think I've figured out what the PO was up to here.
Here's the updated diagram with where I'll try in bright green.

Image

https://imgur.com/a/7nBrpaO
Current Stable: Lotus Evora, Fiat 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF-R
Lckitty
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:15 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by Lckitty »

Woo hoo, this worked great. She fired right up!!!!!!
Current Stable: Lotus Evora, Fiat 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF-R
davidbruce
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by davidbruce »

Glad it worked out. It might be a good idea to document any wiring changes you find for future reference. Either for yourself or a future owner. I have done quite a few wiring changes that made sense to me. I am not a fan of relays under the dash or for that matter the stock location. I repurposed an unused relay in the relay tray for the wipers but the headlight and starter relays are on the drivers inner fender. I printed a wiring diagram. Whited out anything no longer in use and added in any changes. I Knew I would never remember otherwise :oops:
Dave Kelly
Campbell River B.C.
1973 Sport(sold)
1980 Spider 2000(project, aren't they all)
Lckitty
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:15 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

Re: 1981 Ignition wiring disconnected + 2-relays - HELP!!!

Post by Lckitty »

Thank you. Great plan. This may be an ongoing evolution. Figuring out what POs have done too.....
Current Stable: Lotus Evora, Fiat 2000, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF-R
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