My Alfa an 88 spider on rare occasions will not start. It will start later on with no problem. Warm or cold.?

Sounds like it could be any or all of the above. There is also a fused link under the rear package tray. I have had this link get corroded and cause the same problem that you are describing. Give this a try:

Take up the carpet, clean out the fuse holder, replace the fuse and, as every Italian repair manual says "assemble in reverse order!"

Not sure if that is the problem, however, like I said, I had the exact same problem on a 84 Spider.

Good Luck

I hate intermittent problems! This is not really an Alfa spider specific answer but an Alfa answer in general. (Never owned a spider). Since everyone else has gone with fuel supply I will throw in a coil fault for good measure. I agree it sounds like a fuel pump issue however they usually break down under load or when hot (as does a coil for that matter!) You could also try the fuel pump relay. Often this fails intermittently but is overlooked. Whilst this is occurring have you checked the spark?? If not that's where I'd start. For the engine to work it needs air fuel and spark. As its injected I assume it has an air flow meter?? If so has this been checked?? I notice you mentioned an earth lead?? Just another thought (totally unrelated to alfas) I once had an old Austin with exactly this fault (showing my age). Turned out it was not earthing properly via the earth strap and was actually earthing through the accellerator cable. Only found out when the cable got really stiff and was hot when I went to remove it. Might be worth taking a jump cable with you and earthing the negative terminal on the battery to the engine block with the lead when it next occurs??

Wow! Well those two guy hit it right on. The fuel pumps need to be working and they are the easiest to check first. I would check the electrical continuity to them, especially the grounds (!), since this problem is so intermittent.

Good luck and I hope you sort this out.

I am sorry it happened again but I say, check all of the grounds. including the grounding strap at the engine. Alfa had a bad habit of painting grounding surfaces and those are the weak links. At least that has been the experience with my Alfa. Also if you haven't replaced the fuel pump in a while check out it's connections and output. Maybe it is becoming intermittent

Check your battery; I have an 86 that spun the engine without any starting up but the moment I got a jump or when I finally bought a new correct battery ( requires a large one as originally provided) it started right up; the injectors are voltage sensitive; if not high enough the engine starter spins the engine vigorously but there is not enough juice to open the injectors. Check the AROC Oregon chapter on the web. This is documented there.

I had the exact same problem. I thought it was the battery, then the alternator, then I was on the highway and my car just died. A semi pulled me into an updraft so I was able to climb my car up the off ramp and land on the median between the ramp and auxillary road. I put on the emergency blinkers and crossed asap. It turned out to be my fuel pump. I am just so glad to be alive as the highway had no emergency lanes. The car is still not acting quite right, but I think I am going to avoid highways without emergency lanes for awile until I know for sure it's fixed.

well, its sounds like you may have a fuel problem. if i was you, check and change your fuel filter. if this doesnt solve it then it might be your fuel pump. hope this helps

new: how is your tank, is it clean, any garbage in it. some times stuff builds up at the bottom of your tanks and this will clog even a new fuel filter and ruin the fuel pump. take the fuel filter off, (because it is easier to get to then the fuel pump. and check and see if there is any garbage in it. can you blow through it with out any problem?

John