67 Fiat Dino Spider restoration | Page 9 | FerrariChat

67 Fiat Dino Spider restoration

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by TheMayor, Jan 23, 2024.

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  1. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Well, the day has come. We can no longer ignore the elephant in the room. This car has some serious electrical issues. We put in the new Wiper motor. It works sort of but blows the fuse. It turns out there are some jumped wires and the ignition switch is the wrong one. We could jump around it but our feeling is to get to replace the switch with the correct one and then sort it out properly. The problem is this switch is an early version which is crazy expensive and hard to get. I'm checking now.

    Then we have to sort out all the jumped wires in the center console. This may explain why we aren't getting power to the switches, the fan, and the radio. But right now until we dig deeper its all a guess. Its..... a mess.
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  2. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    I ordered the correct ignition switch. I swear this thing must be made of solid gold to be that expensive.

    I take that back. If it was made of gold it would be less expensive.

    But hopefully this will solve some of the electrical problems.
     
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  3. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    I am now officially VERY sorry for you. Electrical issues in a car are THE WORST. Wiring harnesses are long, exposed, and mostly inscrutable. Maybe not the last one but far from easy & transparent. Wires go out then fold back so you can't really tell where it went or may be shorted. I know you will get it sorted.
     
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  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #204 TheMayor, Aug 21, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2024
    Yah and I'm stuck for a good 2 weeks waiting for this. Maybe more. Car just sitting there collecting dust.

    To me long ago they were chasing electrical problems. It explains the jumped wires and the removed wiper motor. Now we have to sort out what they did or tried to do and correct it. Would be easier if they did nothing.

    We have fixed some electrical stuff. The radiator fan works. The lights work. We replaced the stalk which fixed some of these. The gauges work. But the wipers are now the issue along with what's going on behind the lower center dash.
     
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  5. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 World Champ
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    Could be worse. Could be Lucas.
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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  7. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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  8. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 11, 2008
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  9. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    And... TADA! Something I also searched for months. A complete tool kit with new lead hammer with the bags. There is so much misinformation about what the tool kits look like it was tough to find what it really came with and where to get one. A wood handle screwdriver! Can't thank Marco at Dinopoint enough!


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  10. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    And now for the really exciting news of what is in the box.....

    Dinopoint is going to create for my car a complete new interior in Leather using the original patterns. Seats, door panels, rear bench and rear pockets. They sent me these samples. I'm thinking I will pick the center (lightest) one for the dark red paint.

    I've already contacted a well known installer here in Vegas and they agreed it was better to have the skins made there and installed when they arrive. Not cheap -- but for sure will increase the comfort and value of the car over the vinyl.
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  11. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    Good choice and classic. I like the bottom one as well, I am not sure how it would look with the red exterior.
     
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  12. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #212 TheMayor, Sep 11, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2024
    Went to visit the car today with the leather samples and the decision is.... Cappuccino Nuvola. If you want to know what it looks like in reality its exactly like the coffee drink. I think it has more of that 60's leather color I'm looking for. Its not too light or pink-ish or yellow-ish like modern beige. This picture of the interior was my reference. It may not look like it in the photo but the color in person is very much like this.
     

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  13. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    Very classy, great choice Bob.
     
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  14. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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  15. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Bad news.... and GOOD NEWS! It is the wrong switch. However the supplier has the correct switch. We are communicating now about how to get it.

    This is the correct one.

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  16. jkddad

    jkddad F1 Rookie
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    Just noticed this thread. Congratulations on the car. Always loved the Fiat Dino. Enjoy.
     
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  17. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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  18. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    You could go cra cra and keep the car totally OEM stock but put in a modern looking push button switch just to screw with people's brains.
     
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  19. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Good color!
     
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  20. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #220 TheMayor, Oct 3, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2024
    There was a Fiat Dino Coupe color called Rosso ossido that was somewhat similar to Rubino. Ossido translates to "oxide" in English but I'm not sure how metallic it is.
     
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  21. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I still love rosso barchetta. It is just pure class. My 550 is rosso corso but my 1st choice would be barchetta.


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  22. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Yep my second choice. But I want a metallic paint to bring out the curves.

    Darker reds are more classic looking Ferrari colors. Rosso Corsa more modern.
     
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  23. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    Bob was the difference the 6 vs 8 pins?

    I specifically called Italian Auto Parts/MrFiat before ordering that one on the car and it was “guaranteed” correct. But now seeing this, it seems it was NOT in fact correct. Sorry about that because that was a PITA to tap out and install.

    edit: this is what had gone in: https://mrfiat.com/products/fiat-1500-cabrio-dino-2000-2400-spider-ignition-switch
     
  24. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #224 TheMayor, Oct 4, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2024
    Its hard for me to explain the technical issues as its pretty complicated. I will tell you, I got a lot of different information when looking for this thing. Some very knowledgable people say the switch I had in the car "will work". Clearly the switch was working as I drove the car. The issue I believe the wiring of the fuel pump and accessories, which is why this one has additional pins. This switch is really rare and hard to get today. So some have used different switches or put electrical connections together on the same posts.

    And I searched everywhere for this thing and it was sold out. It clearly existed but was impossible to get and very expensive if I could get one. Over $1000 which is "just plain crazy".

    If you go search on the Fiat Dino forum you'll find people going back years who have used relays and whatever to get around the problem that this 16 pin switch is becoming hard to find. And, that was our last resort. After 2 months of waiting for it I was beginning to lose hope.

    We're trying to trace down an electrical problem and the mechanic thought it best to get the correct switch to start with. At first I thought no big deal. Then it became a big deal.

    From what I understand, this switch has an inherent problem in that they wear out fairly easily. So Fiat stopped using it and went with and updated switch with fewer pins that is used in more Fiats of the time. And this is the switch that most people sell as a replacement. Not sure if its the same on Coupes and I know its different again for 2.4L.

    I had a conversation with Superperformance about it. They also have a switch but no 16 pins. Yet they say "2000 spider" on the catalogue page.

    Believe me I really challenged the mechanic on this one to ask why we need it. And he agreed it probably could work but was concerned it would take longer to debug the electrical system to find the issues. He wanted to use the wiring diagram as his basis and needed the 16 pin switch to do that.

    It is what it is. There's no clear understanding out there so its easy to see how parts suppliers can look at a catalogue or parts book and say this is the correct part. I got different answers from different people. As I did I discussed it with the mechanic but he was hoping a correct switch could be found.

    So, basically there's a lot of confusion out there about what switch works for what model. From what I've been told, there are even two different versions of the 16 pin switch!

    If there is any benefit, I am now the world's leading expert on 2L Fiat Spider Ignition switches.

    If I can get this electrical problem sorted the next step should be to the body shop. It will still need some work afterwards but at least its drivable. I'm ordering the interior from Dinopoint next week. That will take 2 months. Trying to get it finished in one year of work but I think the Spring is more likely.

    I would like to drive it to Monterey next year. 8 hour drive from Vegas.
     
  25. malcolmb

    malcolmb Formula 3
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    The Fiat Dino was built with a relay which cuts power to the fuel pump when there is no oil pressure. The extra pin cuts power to this relay so the fuel pump will run when cranking so the engine will get fuel. 99% of the Fiat Dinos have the switch without the extra pin since the real ones have been NLA for years. most are wired like any other car, eliminating the relay. Mine has been that way for years with no issues. I have been told this was an attempt to honor the "turnover switch" but it seems like such a bad idea I am skeptical that this explanation is correct. The Dino forum has years of discussion about this issue. Of course you can guess why I know this.
    Malcolm
     
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