A Spider with electrical issues...? Naaaaahh ;)

[babu2001]

Last November, I was driving my cutie to her shelter for the winter and a last ride for the season but the ride wasn't very pleasant. Gauges and lights in the dash were flickering. Alternator light was on half of the ride, whatever the RPM. Idle was horrible. So, when I'll get the sleeping beauty back, my first guess would be to check the alternator regulator. On my model ('83), it's located on the alternator, it's a VR134. But I've seen VR734 that should be compatible and was on more recent models of Volks, Volvo and ...Yugo. Yeah, yeah, I know, we're cousins. Should it be better to use this regulator? And while doing the alternator, what else should I check before putting it back to work?

Also, while doing research on this matter through the forum's threads, I found some posts about the brown wire syndrome. Is it something I need to do on a '83 model or it's a resolved matter? And yes, I'll redo all my grounds on the fenders and under the dash too. Which lead me to my final one. I've downloaded the Fiat Spider Wiring Diagrams 1980-1982 from Bradley Artigue (2 edition). Should I presume it's the same wiring on my car? Now, I only need a warm and early spring.

[vandor]

Some of the wiring is the same, but not all. If you email me privately I can email you Pinin wiring diagram PDFs.

[So Cal Mark]

make sure the fuses are tight in their holders, it sounds like you have some poor connections

[babu2001]

I forgot about the fuses. I've already bought new fuses boxes to use standard fuses and to hold them more tightly. I'll have to spent a beautiful Saturday the head upside down to install them. I'm already feeling the pain in my neck...

[RRoller123]

Those stock fuse holders get really loose, I had a similar issue and found a fuse location that looked like it was holding the fuse securely but it was really quite loose, causing a high resistance connection. Bent the tabs in as a temporary fix, but I would like to replace the whole block as you are doing. Maybe this year.

[narfire]

I also used a dremel with a small wire wheel to clean up the contact points. Bit of emery cloth would work as well.

[RRoller123]

good idea!

[TX82FIAT]

Did the same thing. Quick hit with a dremel wire wheal and bent the prongs in a tad. Worked like a charm.

[wizard124]

make sure the fuses are tight in their holders, it sounds like you have some poor connections

Maybe poor ignition switch contacts. Bad battery ground? I wouldn't think a bad VR , with a good battery, would cause the light/gage flicker.
I remember years ago in my 71 coupe, it suddenly died on the approach to the Golden Gate bridge. When I tried the key, it started back up.......traced it to a faulty ignition switch.

[babu2001]

What makes me think it's really the regulator it because I wasn't having any electrical issue before that. No strange behavior prior to the last ride. Anyway, it doesn't cost a lot for this part. It will be in the "Better to be safe than sorry" bin. Thanks all.

[Colonialgirl]

RE:

whatever the RPM. Idle was horrible.

Best advice I ever got was from an old Italian guy that ran a shop specializing in Italian Sports cars;
He said, "the Fiat; You have to reset the points every 3000 miles because they tend to close up, get out and reset them and you wont have a problem". He also said to NOT believe the color codes on the wiring diagrams cause Tony when he makes the wiring harness up, runs out of red and white wire, But he had LOTS of blue and white and it works just as good.

Pamela