QuestionHave a 99 Cirrus lxi which won't start when raining. Engine turns but according to my mechanic, he can tell it's not getting any gas. Plugs, wires, fuel filter etc have all been replaced. Once weather/car dries, it starts fine. Even during rain, if I'm able to get the car started (before draining the battery), it will run fine. It's only the initial start when raining.
AnswerHi Dave,
My initial thought is spark plug wires but you say those have been changed. How about the distributor cap and rotor?
I assume that you have the 2.5L V-6 which has the cap and rotor. The usual assumption is that there is a breakdown in the insulation that leads to a loss of spark quality under high humidity conditions. I would be inclined to buy an extra spark plug and be prepared the next time this failure to start happens, under high humidity conditions, to test several of the spark plug wires by removing them, one at a time, inserting the spare plug and hold its threads on the cylinder head while a helper cranks the engine while you observe for the quality of the spark. Another idea would be to wait until dark on a humid evening and have a helper crank the engine while you look for arcing around the wires, plugs, distributor cap.
There might be a fault code stored in the powertrain controller so getting that readout may give you a clue. A free readout may be available at the Autozone parts store. Otherwise look for a "special" at shop where you might get a readout for $40. Or try turning the ignition key "on-off-on-off-on and leave it on", doing this in 5 seconds or less. Then watch for any fault code messages to appear in the odometer window of the dash.
I don't know of any reason why the fuel supply would be humidity related. Has the mechanic measured the pressure in the fuel rail that supplies the injectors? It should be about 49 psi.
Those are my suggestions at this point. Let me know if you have any interesting findings.
Roland
