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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'90 Nissan Axxess AWD, Hard Starting Wet
Q:
It seems whenever there is moisture (rain, snow or frost) in the morning
the van won't start. By the afternoon, or if it’s dry outside, it
will start with no problem. I also have trouble when I accelerate, it
tends to sputter at times, almost stalling...not the best thing when turning
through a busy intersection. I'm assuming electrical but I had my distributor
cap, spark plugs and cables inspected and they seem fine and my fuel pump
is about 2 years old. Any suggestions would be appreciated. . . Rob
B.
A:
Forget the inspection part. What you need is a water hose. Here’s
how we pin down wet weather problems in our shop. Sometimes it’s
a water hose, a light mixture of anti-freeze and water or if we really
need to get nasty, salt and water in a spray bottle. The next step is
to wet down the ignition system a step at a time until the engine doesn’t
run right. What does this procedure prove? The weak area of the ignition
system and also provides an alternative path. The path is for the electricity
that is suppose to be going to the spark plugs. Moisture mixed with some
dirt, oil or whatever we mix in the shop can provide a path for electricity
that is easier. Electricity is a lazy energy. It takes the path of least
resistance. On a damp morning moisture can collect on the ignition system,
distributor cap, coil and wires. Electricity, being the lazy energy that
it is, will look for the easiest way around. If the ignition system has
a weak spot guess were that electricity goes? Not to the spark plug. That’s
why the engine starts hard and runs rough when moisture’s around
and the ignition system has a problem.
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