Mondial 8 Starting Problems

You may want to check the connection in the fuse box in the front...could be a dirty connection (cheap fixes first )

 

Couple of basic suggestions. First, check the battery and battery connections, especially the ground on the battery's negative side. If you still have that stupid battery switch in line, remove it and run a NEW battery cable from the negative directly to the grounding point on the chassis. Be sure to clean the grounding point really thoroughly, same for the negative terminal. It wouldn't hurt to replace the positive side either. Remove the battery and take it to a local store that has an automated battery tester to be sure that it's us to snuff, holding a full charge, and no bad cells. If it's not 100%, buy a new one, properly sized. This is not the place to cheap out, buy a good quality battery.

Next, as suggested, check the fuse box and various connections. Make sure all connectors are clean and solidly connected.

Check the cable from the battery to the starter. I believe on the 8 there is a mid-cable connector somewhere near the back. Make sure that connection is good, as well as the connection on the starter, especially the ground.

Check the connection on the digiplex units. Try pulling them and spraying electrical connector cleaner on them and working them on and off a couple of times to be sure they are clean and secure. Check the wires to the coils, the coil to distributor wires, etc. Pull the distributor caps and make sure your rotors are in good condition, and that connections and rotor contact points are clean. Make sure distributor caps are not cracked.

Tracing down all the electrical connections should help sort the problem. Don't assume it's one thing. I found on my Mondial QV it was an accumulation of several bad connections and weak battery that caused starting problems for me.

Hope that helps,
Steve

 

Steve is right, there is a "quick disconnect" on the battery cable mounted to the subframe on the drivers side. They are a plastic part, and like all plastic stuff, it can get brittle with age.
I would look at possibly fuel filters as a problem. You can pull the feed line from the fuel distributor, and check for flow. Use care here, as the pump will put out a lot of fuel, and it can get dangerous if not prepared for it. A helper cranking the motor for a second and shutting it off is a good way.
The Mondy 8's have the same gremlins on the electrical side of the fuel pump as the 3x8's do. I like to add a second relay, at the pump (see pic). Run a line from the battery cable@ the starter for power, and use the old wire from the dash relay to energise the new relay. This gives you a good power source, and as the stock lead is what turns it on and off it works just like the OEM one. The relay needs very little power to energise so there is very little draw on the original one.Never a problem with low voltage on the pump circut from then on. Works well with 308's too.
Sometimes the air door is out of adjustment, and as you are cranking, it doesn't pull down enough to start fuel flow. With the air cleaner off, watch as it is being cranked. It hsould pull down slightly. If it doesn't check for vacuum leaks. The K-Jetronic doesnt like "false air" which is any air that does not pass thru the flapper. A smal vacuum leak can prevent the air door from being pulled down and starting the fuel flow.
The fast idle problem is most likely caused by a second AAV, a problem that can drive ya nuts. The Mondy 8 uses a standard Auxiliary Air Valve, and they also have a second air valve that is mounted on the same line. It is activated by an electrical current. I have seen these open and close seemingly for no reason and when open the idle will run about 3000RPM.
You can plug the second one of and still get a very usable warm up. it just wont rev so high. I never did like a high idle on a cold motor anyway.
HTH
Image Unavailable, Please Login