Start up issue

There is no "ignition relay" on a 1988 Mondial 3.2.

Please clarify your description of the problem -- do you mean:

1. You put the key in Pos III (start) and the dash instruments/alt light wake up, but the starter does nothing, or

2. You put the key in Pos III (start) and the starter does spin the engine, but you have no ignition spark?

 

The good news is that your typically flaky fuse-relay panel is not involved

Has to be something in the food chain:
ignition switch terminal 50 (a large white wire)
to C1 connector (LH side of instrument panel)
to C4 connector (LH side of engine bay)
to starter solenoid terminal 50

Either a bad connection or one of those components is bad (assuming you don't have some sort of aftermarket alarm/immobilizer installed in that chain). Good Hunting!

 

Connect a multi meter to the starter solenoid positive terminal, then try starting. See if the 12 volts is there. If not trace the connections back to the key etc.
I can send you a copy of the wiring diagram if you need it

 

I seem to recall the same in the past. And if I remember correctly the battery was starting to go bad.

 

An e mail address might help
These cars suffer from the loss of the 12 volt signal to the starter solenoid, you can buy a relay kit to fit which will cure this.

 

One of the coils of me had a bad connection between coil and distributor....aldo there is no direct connection between starting and the coils, this whas my problem that the car would not start.
Guido

 

Get a volts reading from the starter solenoid first

 

Hi Dennis- I am in PA as well. I'm sure your issue is one of the other things being suggested, rather than my simple issue. I don't get to drive my Mondial as often as I'd like, but I do enjoy it in the garage visually each day. I keep a Battery Tender on my classic US musclecar and I just need to pick up a second one for the Mondial. On rare occasion if I haven't started the Mondial in a while it will do exactly what you encountered. Then I'll hook up the Battery Tender until it is lit up green and there are no further starting issues. I try to get the car out every other week in good weather, but in truth it ends up not being that often. This is a well-sorted car with the fuse panel taken care of and the smaller fuse panel installed beside the main one. AC with R-12 works great and nothing electrical overheats. No other issues in the close to two years I have owned it. Ferrarichat member Chris Warren was the prior owner, and the car went round trip TX to PA back in 2013 for Mondialpalooza (some might remember that).