Alfa Romeo Repair: alfa spider cold start mystery, starter solenoid, alfa spider

Question
I have an 87 alfa spider that has a hard time starting when cold.  I have replaced both the start valve and the thermotime switch and they should be working. The wiring diagram makes this look quite simple.  The charge when starting comes from the ignition switch in start mode and is divided up between the thermo switch, start valve, starter relay in the back, and the starter brain. I understand the purpose of the wire to the start relay activates it.  What is the purpose of the lead to the brain?  
For all intents and purposes, if the car is cold, and the resistance through the thermo switch to ground is low, then the start valve should activate upon starting.    What I am finding is that the car doesn't want to start exept upon repeated tries and actually depressing the gas pedal.  I have been starting it right away in the morning by kicking it over a few times (vainly), then pulling off the start valve plug, grounding one terminal on the start valve itself and touching the other to 12 volt power for one to two seconds.  The car will then start immediately.
If I am to understand this, the grounding of the circuit at the thermotime switch when cold is what activates the start valve. Is the purpose of the lead to the thermo switch from the ignition switch to power the timed period to keep the circuit grounded?  Is this circuit working independent of the starter relay and brain?


Answer
On your system, pin 4 at the ECM sends positive to the cold start injector and the thermo-time switch when signaled by the starter solenoid. If every component is ok then you have reversed the positive and negative connections at the thermo-time switch. (This is quite common).