Possesed 1981 Beta Zagato (USA)

[jklnhyde]

I cannot seem to get any spark from the coil or the plug wires at all. I have replaced EVERY item for the ignition but no spark. The ECU was sent to a VERY reputable repair facility and they said the injector timing portion of the ECU was fried; and they couldn't fix. The F.I. system has given me problems since day one and it's been 3 years since the car ran on it's own. I don't wan't to get rid of it, so I'm considering ANY suggestions at this point!
Yes I did troubleshoot it with the F.I. guide and it pointed to the ECU. Should I convert to carbs (I'd like to) and if so what would I need and what do I toss out?
Thanks in advance to all who reply!!!!!!!!

[Allen Lofland]

I also have a zagato, 1981 ....I love to drive it, and I love the FI. This car is made for FI...Of all the fiats and Lancias the Beta Coupe and Zagato have the right feel for FI. Carbs belong on Scorpions and Fiat Spiders :)
IMOP :) The parts you need are very available and very cheap and swapping over to carbs will cost you a bundle. BUT if you must, Send all the FI stuff to me :)

[dbirrell]

I agree with Allen 100%. The EFI is a great system that is very reliable. I don't think the ignition needs the ECU to operate properly. but the ECU need the ignition. Do you suppose you have some wires missplaced on the coil that goes to the ECU? You might try unplugging the ECU to see if you have spark as the toasted circuits in the ECU may be shorting out the ignition system. Another thing to check for firing problems is the grounding contact on the dist. advance plate. Sometimes this contact does not make a good connection to the inside face of the dist. housing and the beast will not start! I have been told that many different ECUs will work for our application. Look at a VW with L-jetronic and give it a shot. Lastly, don't pitch the fried ECU as it still may be repairable. These circuits are not that difficult to fix.

[Bali]

Hi!

Maybe it won't help you, but a few months ago I had a similar ignition problem on my 2.0 IE coupe. The car didn't want to start, and as I checked - there were no spark. I tried to figure out where the problem was, and at the end we find out that there was a problem with the ignition switcher. It had burned in and the electricity couldn't get to the coil.
So maybe you could check are there 12V on the coil.
Maybe this is a common problem, since this was my second swithcer since I own the car...
But my ECU is working, so it can be something else.

[Will]

Check coil voltage, check the yellow wire from the coil to ECU and also the shield- check ground lugs on cam box end plate.
Check injector plug with noid light. Check for power at Bosch double relay- feed coil via jumper wire if necessary.
If all fails, replace ECU- FIAT spider ECU is identical unit. Used should run you about $50. Earlier suggestion somebody made of using one from another donor car MIGHT work, but there are different pin implementations in different applications, believe it or not. So I'd look specifically at a FIAT ECU.
Don't pay over $100, shop around. If you can't source one, email me- I'll find one for you.
-Will