Moisture related starting issues?
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Moisture related starting issues?
My car ran fine lastnight. During the middle of the night it rained ( dont know if moisture could be the cause ) anyhoo I go to start it today while its still raining and it wont start. The starter is spinning fine and when I let off of it to stop the power flow to it.. the engine CHUGS ( ingition in a cylinder? ) ONCE then thats it.. nothing else. Anyone have any ideas what it might be? Its a 1990 Chevy Lumina with a 3.1
p.s. Please PLEASE PLEASE dont tell me its a fuel pump.
p.s. Please PLEASE PLEASE dont tell me its a fuel pump.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
When was the last tune up done? Are you the original owner? If you don't know, and no, then replace the plugs, and wires. The 3.1 uses coil packs to fire the cylinders, it's also possible that you have a bad coil. DON'T use wires from AUTOZONE. Get the NAPA or CARQUEST premium wires you'll be glad you did in three years when they are still like new. If the plugs and wires don't cure it's time to replace the coils. This is an easy but expensive fix, and again PAY for them don't go the cheap route. A good rule of thumb for ignition parts is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
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The wires are cheat but have only about 5000 miles on them. I can only change the front 3 plugs, I wanted to change them when I did the wires but realized there was absolutely no way ( that I could see ) for me to be able to get at the rears. I cant get them from the top or bottom. I suppose it should also be noted that almost every other time I go to start it up on the first try I get a simple clicking noise ( sounds like no power to the starter almost ) then when I go to fire it again it starts right up. Its always done that everyday, no matter what the weather is like
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
The cheap wires are what's doing it. It's not uncommon for them to be bad right out of the box. The trick to the back three cyls is to unbolt the motor from the mounts and use a engine hoist to lift the back of the motor up so you can get in there.
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Ok I'll pick up some new wires and plugs next week when I get paid. Does anyone know what would cause that one click every time I try to start the first time? Its done it ever since I had the car.. with the old wires and with the new ones. I have a feeling its gotta be some ingition related issue.. but dont know where to look.
Thanks alot. I love this place!
Thanks alot. I love this place!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
The click could be the fuel pump or ignition relay. They are supposed to make that noise. 
-Matt
-Matt
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Originally Posted by Beast12
The click could be the fuel pump or ignition relay. They are supposed to make that noise.
-Matt
-Matt
Also today was a dry day and the car fired up NO problem.. so its not the wires or plugs. Should I be looking to replace the distributor? Or some specific ignition component?
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Distributor caps are notorious for being testy when when, usually it's caused by a crack in the cap, may not even be a crack you can see easily but still there. Another thing to check is the coil, pull off the coil wire at the coil and give it a quick inspection. If you see a chalky powder all over the coil connection and inside the wire itself, it's not helping matters. Clean off the coil connection or replace and install the new coil wire. I'm not sure if you had already done that since you said you had done some of the wires already.
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Sorry, it's early and I didn't see your line about the year and model of the car, if I remember right the 90 Lumina's I think used coil packs on them not sure, it's another thing to check.
As far as getting to the rear plugs, they make a tool that attaches to the point on the core support where the dogbone is installed, when you remove it the tool rolls the motor forward toward the radiator giving you the access you need to get at the rear plugs, it's not much, but enough to get at it.
As far as getting to the rear plugs, they make a tool that attaches to the point on the core support where the dogbone is installed, when you remove it the tool rolls the motor forward toward the radiator giving you the access you need to get at the rear plugs, it's not much, but enough to get at it.
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