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+--- Thread: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome (/showthread.php?tid=67064)
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Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - GGD - 11-26-2008
One of our cars (1992 Volvo 240 wagon) starts fine in the warm dry California summer, but in the winter when it rains and gets cold it will not start. It cranks forever, will sometimes make a cough or two, but fails to start. Today we continued trying for almost an hour (with a jump from another car) and it finally started, ran very rough initially and then ran fine.
While I had the hood open for the jump, I did notice one thing that might be related to the problems. Looking at the ignition coil (without removing anything), I could see a spark jumping from under the boot of the ignition wire to one of the screw terminals on the coil while it's trying to start. When the engine did finally start, the sparking stopped.
So any guesses if this is related to the problem and what steps might fix it permanently? Is moisture getting under that boot and causing problems? Could there be a crack in the connector on the coil?
Should I try replacing the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor, and/or replace the coil?
Any opinions on what might be the most typical cause/solution would be appreciated.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - cbelt3 - 11-26-2008
Your diagnosis nailed it- the spark isn't going where it's needed. The simplest test and short term solution is a can of 'wire dry'. Ask at your local auto parts store. It's essentially a can of spray varnish. Spray the wires, distributor cap, and other wiry-looking pluggy thingamabobs with it. let it dry, and then see what happens the next time it rains.
Ultimately a set of wires should solve your problems long term, but a $4 can of varnish will fix it for most of the winter.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - rgG - 11-26-2008
I had a 72 Gremlin that had a problem similar to that. I think it was a cracked distributor cap that was allowing moisture in that was causing my problem. That has been several decades ago, but I think that was the problem.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - TheCaber - 11-26-2008
starts when dry ; won't start when wet.
surface condensation provides a leakage path for high voltage intended for the spark plugs.
you could spray wd-40 on the plugs, plug wires, coil and distributor, wait 30 seconds or so and try starting again.
the answer to your questions above is 'yes'.
assuming no crack in distributor cap or coil, then replacing plug wires & boots will be the way to go.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - GGD - 11-26-2008
cbelt3 wrote:
Your diagnosis nailed it- the spark isn't going where it's needed. The simplest test and short term solution is a can of 'wire dry'. Ask at your local auto parts store. It's essentially a can of spray varnish. Spray the wires, distributor cap, and other wiry-looking pluggy thingamabobs with it. let it dry, and then see what happens the next time it rains.
Ultimately a set of wires should solve your problems long term, but a $4 can of varnish will fix it for most of the winter.
Thanks, so what is really happening? Is the moisture mixing with the gunk and dirt around the connector, and becoming conductive until it dries out again? Is the real problem that the boot isn't sealing out the moisture?
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - GGD - 11-26-2008
TheCaber wrote:
starts when dry ; won't start when wet.
surface condensation provides a leakage path for high voltage intended for the spark plugs.
you could spray wd-40 on the plugs, plug wires, coil and distributor, wait 30 seconds or so and try starting again.
the answer to your questions above is 'yes'.
assuming no crack in distributor cap or coil, then replacing plug wires & boots will be the way to go.
Our posts crossed, thanks for answering my question in the post below yours, before you even saw it.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - rgG - 11-26-2008
I'll bet there is a crack. When it gets cold the crack opens up just enough to let the moisture in.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - GGD - 11-26-2008
rgG wrote:
I'll bet there is a crack. When it gets cold the crack opens up just enough to let the moisture in.
Thanks, I'll take a careful look for that.
The one thing that I hate about this kind of problem is trying to convince oneself that it's really fixed rather than the weather just changed.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - Acer - 11-26-2008
I usually towel off before getting in the car, but maybe that's just me.
Re: Car starting problem when wet, opinions welcome - Racer X - 11-26-2008
could be bad insulation on the wires as well. How old? replace if more than about 7 years. Bend one around your finger and look for cracks in the insulation. Some wires have date codes for manufacture. Look for those as well.