Shite diagnosis help request

[The Liberator]

My Alfasud has a couple of starting/running problems that I hope someone on here can help diagnose.

 

1: Idle speed increases with engine temp to the point that it idles at 1700-2000rpm. (Cold idle, i.e. when just warmed up enough to not need choke, is about 800).

 

2: Starting, or at least turning the key, can result in one of three things: either the starter motor turns over healthily and everything's fine, or there's a fairly solid 'clunk' (solenoid?) and the starter doesn't turn, or there's the kind of click you get when turning the key of a car with a flat battery. Which one of these you get seems to be random, although a properly cold start (if the car hasn't been driven for a few days) usually results in a healthy spin.

 

Any ideas? It's booked in for an MoT today too, I'll update with progress on that front.

[Rocket88]

Point 2] Italian wiring check earths.................

Point 1] Is it difficult to start [if it turns over.....] Sounds like an induction side air leak.

[The Liberator]

Thanks colc. I've checked the main engine and battery earths, they're secure and the engine-to-body earth which is about three feet long has a low resistance so I think that's ok. There was also an ad hoc 'earth', made up of what looks like two 1mm wires twisted together, from the engine to another point on the bulkhead. Don't know what that's supposed to do.

 

The positive supply to the starter is ok also.

[The Liberator]

Pre-MoT time update:

 

Spraying WD-40 around carburettor/inlet manifold and manifold/heads = no change to idle

 

Disconnecting mysterious one-microfarad capacitor from coil = idle speed 1000rpm up to and beyond the fan kicking in. and

 

Seems to be engaging the starter motor fine too, but I'm not holding my breath that'll continue.