No Spark After Rain

[lutter94]

This issue started last summer, but it only happened once so I didn't really worry about it. However, this summer it has happened twice, and currently will not start since it rained a couple days ago....lol.

Last spring I replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil, and the ignition control module. When the problem happened earlier this summer, I was messing around with the rotor, and it would sometimes run briefly. I replaced the cap and rotor and it started after a few tries. My thought was that trying to start it over and over again (and running briefly intermittently) helped dry out whatever was wet. The guy at the auto parts store said it could be the stator on the distributor. So I have a new one, but have not installed it yet.

Thoughts?

 

[CC'S95GT]

It's the PIP inside the dizzy. You can replace just the pip or get a remanned dizzy.

 

[Musturd]

^ exactly super common

 

[lutter94]

Hey, thanks alot. After yesterdays heat she is running again, but a reman dist is on its way from Advance. Used a 15% off coupon so I'll get it for $75 after I take the core back.....

 

[RichV]

How would rain somehow make the PIP act up?

When you say it does not run, is that after you drive in the rain? Or, it's raining outside, you go out and it won't start? My guess would be spark plug wires are junk or you're getting water in the distributor somehow.

 

[lutter94]

It could be sitting in the rain, not a light rain, i think i could take it through the car wash, but if it was super humid and rained hard for a day or two.....I have replaced the wires, plugs, cap, rotor, coil, and ICM already......

 

[RichV]

Reground everything, if you have not already. Battery negative to body to engine. Clean off the corrosion with a wire brush and re install.

I think you've already done the basic stuff. You can check if you're getting any arching by looking under the hood in the dark, make sure you don't see any sparks.

Sounds like a very weird issue.

 

[CC'S95GT]

The ICM's don't typically go bad on our cars like the foxes. I still have my origional with 200,000 mi. and living n the georgia heat.
You might also have a MAF issue since it mainly happens in the rain.

 

[lutter94]

Well I finally made some progress on this issue. I drove the car down to volleyball last week, it was running again, and I had yet to fix the problem. Well it sat there for 3 hours, and didn't have spark when I went to leave. Being busy it sat there for the last week. I tried to start it a few times and got nothing.

Today I swapped out the distributor. Just made a mark on the plastic part of the dist. where the rotor pointed and reinstalled the new dist with it pointing in the exact same position. She fired right up, drove it home. Still have to set the timing, but will do it when I get the dist wrench back (which is in my fusion, sitting in the parking lot where the mustang was)......

Now to wait for it to rain and see if she'll start! lol

 

[CC'S95GT]

keep us posted

 

[lutter94]

Just set the timing to 12 degrees, runs pretty good....

 

[toyman]

Just be aware that reman dizzys do not always have new PIP. If it tests fine they will leave the old one in. You can buy a new one made by Richporter for about $100 and a core isn't needed. Check to see if Advance carries them.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Just set the timing to 12 degrees, runs pretty good....

that is where mine is set. and still able to run the 87 octane gas

 

[lutter94]

Just be aware that reman dizzys do not always have new PIP. If it tests fine they will leave the old one in. You can buy a new one made by Richporter for about $100 and a core isn't needed. Check to see if Advance carries them.

I actually have a new PIP since Advance recommended it might be the problem. This was before I bought a new distributor. I am about 95% sure that this new dist has a new PIP installed, everything looked brand new on it. I am going to return it when I take the core back......

If they don't replace the PIP when they rebuild it, what do they replace?

 

[CC'S95GT]

bushings

 

[lutter94]

Well it rained pretty good this afternoon, and she starts every time. Now I have to figure out why it doesn't get traction on wet streets.....

 

[1997gtRioRed]

Well it rained pretty good this afternoon, and she starts every time. Now I have to figure out why it doesn't get traction on wet streets.....

let me know if you figure that out.

 

[CC'S95GT]

Well it rained pretty good this afternoon, and she starts every time. Now I have to figure out why it doesn't get traction on wet streets.....

Well now you have quite a dilema