04-21-2009, 11:18 AM | #1 |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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Is the rain choking my Firebird?
For the last few days here in Chicago, it has been raining immensely(aka a lot!, LOL), and when I go to crank my Firebird LT1 Formula, it will will not turn over. Yesterday morning I wanted to move it (and to hear that Magnaflow Exhaust ) and it would not start. When the rain stopped and it became dry, Vroom! Starts right up. Can anyone tell me or who has had the same experience tell me something about that and what should I do about it? Please help me. Thanks.
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04-21-2009, 11:25 AM | #2 | |
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It won't turn over, or it won't fire?
Turn over (aka crank): Everything is spun by the starter. Fire: Fuel is burned and pistons are pushed by the combustion. AFAIK, usually when an engine doesn't fire/run right in the rain, it's a problem in the ignition system.
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Removing weight has surprisingly little effect on fuel economy
Engine break-in procedure | Gear ratios 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 5.3 (190,000 miles and going strong) 1980 Buick Lesabre family heirloom with 36,000 miles 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door I5-2.5 5spd DD lease Quote:
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04-21-2009, 12:56 PM | #3 |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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Yeah, everything will crank but it just won't start. It's crazy, and it only happens when it rains, if I do fix it, I am getting a tarp cover for her.
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04-21-2009, 12:57 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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Quote:
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04-21-2009, 01:05 PM | #5 |
SST...
Drives: SST Camaro 2010 Join Date: Oct 2008
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I haven't seen it happen in quite a while, but with older cars, on very rainy days they would not fire due one of the following:
1.) Coil/Coil Wire (Optispark) gets wet/condensation buildup and arcs to engine ground before ever making it to distributor cap. 2.) Unsealed distributor cap gets condensation inside, cross arcs and/or can follow carbon tracks. (Optispark) 3.) Power lead to coil gets wet/condensation/dirt buildup and arcs to ground. No coil spark generated, but this is low voltage DC, so not very likely. One trick we used to do that proves this is next time this happens, take a blow dryer (drying gf/wife's hair can wait) and dry off the connections to the coil/wire/distributor. Many times the car fires instantly. |
04-21-2009, 01:20 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 2004 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Southern NJ
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Quote:
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04-21-2009, 01:51 PM | #7 |
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Sounds like the opti-spark to me, what year is the bird?
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04-21-2009, 01:57 PM | #8 | |
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I think another trick is to wait for a dry day when it's running properly, and spray a fine mist of water in various areas.
__________________
Removing weight has surprisingly little effect on fuel economy
Engine break-in procedure | Gear ratios 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 5.3 (190,000 miles and going strong) 1980 Buick Lesabre family heirloom with 36,000 miles 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door I5-2.5 5spd DD lease Quote:
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04-21-2009, 02:40 PM | #9 |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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04-21-2009, 02:43 PM | #10 |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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Thanks guys. These tips are very helpful. I am still going to get a tarp for because I dont have a garage for her and I dont wannna use my wife's blow dryer everytime. She can get quite mean when it come to her hair dryer, and I dont wanna go buy another one because... she will take that one too.LOL.
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04-21-2009, 03:14 PM | #11 |
Drives: 94 Pontiac Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
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Well I may have found the problem and my solution all on the same website. This website rocks! I ahve found another website that I love besides this one
http://www.lt1engine.com/tech/93-97-...emove-replace/ |
04-21-2009, 03:19 PM | #12 | |||
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Drives: anything I can get my hands on Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: anywhere and everywhere
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the optispark seems to be getting wet. and when it does, often times it will not fire, or if it does, it will run like ass.
you could try putting a car cover on it, but that wont keep moisture from accumulating inside the opti. being that you have a 94, you dont have a vented opti. while you can convert it, its a time consuming process. best bet is to let the car dry out after a big rain. Quote:
water + opti = dead opti.
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04-21-2009, 03:32 PM | #13 | |
Camaro Fanatic
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04-21-2009, 05:21 PM | #14 | ||
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If it can't handle a fine mist, what happens when you drive through a puddle and it splashes up into the engine bay?
__________________
Removing weight has surprisingly little effect on fuel economy
Engine break-in procedure | Gear ratios 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 5.3 (190,000 miles and going strong) 1980 Buick Lesabre family heirloom with 36,000 miles 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door I5-2.5 5spd DD lease Quote:
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