Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 105/115 Series (105 Coupe/Spider/Berlina) => Topic started by: Gran Turismo on December 07, 2011, 09:15:19 PM

Title: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: Gran Turismo on December 07, 2011, 09:15:19 PM
Having issues with my 1750 Series 2.
The ignition can be switched off and key removed, yet the engine continues to run- needs to be stalled to stop it. Amongst other things, which all happened in the space of 12 hours, the fuel line started leaking (pouring petrol everywhere) from the pump as the connecting sleeve dislodged (easily fixed), and head gasket is now showing major signs of being in disrepair (oil in the radiator). This last thing just topped it off. Trying to book it in to an auto electrician but thought I'd make a shout out in case anyone has heard of this before.

Cheers,

David
Title: Re: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: AikenDrum105 on December 08, 2011, 10:51:39 AM
Just a couple of shots in the dark here but:

*  fault inside the ignition switch - try wiggling the key around in the 'off' position
*  a loose connector on the back of the switch, shorting the Coil feed wire to constant 12V (try reaching up the back of the cowling and giving the wires a wiggle when the key is out and engine running and see if the engine stops.)
* a shorted connection in the fusebox keeping constant feed to to the ignition coil
* Coil feed wire melted together with other wire somewhere between the ignition switch / fusebox / coil

You might be able to narrow it down simply by running a length of wire from the back of the ignition switch to the coil to replace the existing wire  (disconnecting the existing one at either end temporarily)   and then testing if the car shuts off.  If it doesn't - fault is most likely inside the switch,  if it does - it's in the wiring.

I think :)

Cheers,
Title: Re: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: mickl on December 08, 2011, 03:37:21 PM
Just replaced a head gasket but it failed less than a week later. Second replacement was a victor reines (not sure spelling) and it seems like it is the only one worth buying.
Mickl
Title: Re: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: colcol on December 08, 2011, 09:09:11 PM
Sometimes the engine can continue to run due to the glow of the spark plugs or carbon deposits on the cylinder heads or pistons, these can glow red hot and keep igniting incoming petrol, very annoying!, put it in 1st gear with foot brake on and let out clutch and stall engine, if this doesn't solve it, then its electrical, Colin.
Title: Re: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: Gran Turismo on January 14, 2012, 09:21:30 AM
Had a auto electrician look at it and it turned out that there was a resistance build up due to old wires. After the ignition was turned off and the car was still running, turning on something electrical ie wipers would drain the current and the engine would turn off. all that needed to be done, shy of re-wiring, was inserting a diode so no 'back flow' of voltage occurred. ended up costing $135. the gut, Hughy was great, talked through the whole scenario, got lost from time to time, but made it there in the end

Thanks all for your help and tips
Title: Re: Ignition problem- Help!
Post by: colcol on January 14, 2012, 04:31:07 PM
Any resistance due to old wires usually causes poor electrical performance, ie dim headlights, it sounds like you have the old age Alfa Romeo problem of undersize ignition switch, ie too much current running through ignition switch causes contacts to burn together and then the ignition won't switch off and your motor keeps running, i know, i had the same trouble, used to have to stall the motor, to get it to stop running, but yours is fixed and thats all that matters, Colin.