No start when raining/snowing....why? HELP
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Freshman User
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No start when raining/snowing....why? HELP
Well, the last time it snowed and the last 2 times it rained significantly, my truck wouldn't start right away. Its a 94 Ford Ranger 2WD, 170000 miles. The first 2 times it took a lil while to fire, but this last time it didn't start at all. The only reason I didn't take it in the first 2 times is because it eventually started and I didn't think there was a point in taking a working vehicle into the shop. Well sure enough, 24 hours after the rain yesterday, the truck starts? Any thoughts? Should I take it in and will they be able to diagnose it if the truck starts, or should I wait till it rains again and then take it in? Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pcola, FL
Something's probably getting wet that's not supposed to. Plug wires or distributor cap maybe?
My little sister's (non-Ford) car had a similar problem. She couldn't start the car in the rain. It turned out to be the distributor cap that had a crack in it. The guy who fixed it found the problem by using a spray bottle to pinpoint the problem...
My little sister's (non-Ford) car had a similar problem. She couldn't start the car in the rain. It turned out to be the distributor cap that had a crack in it. The guy who fixed it found the problem by using a spray bottle to pinpoint the problem...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pcola, FL
Not sure if he used soap or not. I think he suspected it was the distributor or plugs and sprayed it to see if the car would start. He found that after he sprayed the distributor it wouldn't start. When he took off the old cap, he saw there was a crack in it. And when he stuck in a new cap, the car started after he sprayed it again...
Last edited by ledbetter; Apr 3, 2006 at 12:07 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Maine
I could be wrong, but I think the point of the spray bottle test is to see which component is affected by the water. So, you'd use regular water in a spray bottle, and then carefully spray each individual component with it, trying to start the truck after each. When you spray one and the truck won't start, then you've isolated the problem and will likely be able to see how to fix it.
Soap probably wouldn't do any good, because there is no air movement through the cracks to make it bubble.
Soap probably wouldn't do any good, because there is no air movement through the cracks to make it bubble.
Cargo Master
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UPDATE, please read
Thanks for the help, but here is the deal. I sprayed down the distributor and the car wouldn't start, just like when it rains. So my question is could it be the wires, distributor, or both? Or something else? How tough is it to replace the distributor? Any suggestions? Should I just take it to the shop? I know I can do the wires, but they were just done last year, so I think its the distributor. Thanks in advace for the replies.
Chris
PS This may be a dumb question but where is the rotor?
Chris
PS This may be a dumb question but where is the rotor?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pcola, FL
Forgot to ask which engine you have. I was just looking an online manual on autozone's website for a 94 Ranger and it says that only the 3.0 engine uses a distributor system for that year. The others uses the EI (distributorless) system. The rotor should be the part under the distributor cap.
If you sprayed the distributor cap and it's not starting, I'd try to replace the distributor cap first then.
If you sprayed the distributor cap and it's not starting, I'd try to replace the distributor cap first then.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Here's a better idea. When the truck won't start, spray the distributor with WD-40.
The WD stands for water displacement.
You don't have to replace the distributor. Just the distributor cap and rotor. Do that first. If it still fails to start when raining, spray the spark plug wires with WD-40. If it starts then, change the wires.
Another possibility: take a close look at the top of the coil where the wire to the distributor comes out and look for carbon tracks. It could be a crack in the top of the coil too.
The WD stands for water displacement.
You don't have to replace the distributor. Just the distributor cap and rotor. Do that first. If it still fails to start when raining, spray the spark plug wires with WD-40. If it starts then, change the wires.
Another possibility: take a close look at the top of the coil where the wire to the distributor comes out and look for carbon tracks. It could be a crack in the top of the coil too.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 724
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From: Cypress, CA
Your 94 Ranger has a coil pack - no distributor as such. Next time it rains check to see if you have spark at the plugs - inexpensive tester should do the trick.
There are several connections in your ignition related circuits which are possibly wet however my money would be on the spark plug wires. They do deteriorate with age. There is a specific resistance measurement for the wires and they can be tested with an ohm meter. Sometimes one can actually observe the wires arcing by running the engine in a dark place with the hood open and look for sparks. Sometimes, not always.
Good set of Motorcraft replacement wires are available for around $30. + -. Keep us posted.
Russ
There are several connections in your ignition related circuits which are possibly wet however my money would be on the spark plug wires. They do deteriorate with age. There is a specific resistance measurement for the wires and they can be tested with an ohm meter. Sometimes one can actually observe the wires arcing by running the engine in a dark place with the hood open and look for sparks. Sometimes, not always.
Good set of Motorcraft replacement wires are available for around $30. + -. Keep us posted.
Russ
Senior User
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pcola, FL
I think this is the link: http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...3d800b8d1b.jsp
If it doesn't work, just go to the autozone site, pick your vehicle, and click on "repair info/vehicle repair guide" on the left side.
If there is a visible crack, that's your best bet...
If it doesn't work, just go to the autozone site, pick your vehicle, and click on "repair info/vehicle repair guide" on the left side.
If there is a visible crack, that's your best bet...