Car has trouble starting in wet weather?

Question

Ive had this car for about 6 months, and it runs great except that in rainy weather, the engine sometimes wont crank over but usually starts after trying for five minutes. I dont want to wear out the fuel pump this way.

the car is a 1998 chevy lumina 3.1 v6

Answer 1

I'd worry more about the load on the starter instead of the fuel pump, which is probably electric and turns off after it powers up. Your big clue here is rain. Start by getting a new cap and rotor, and a set of wires. Remove the old cap and rotor, install the new rotor and cap. Now line the old cap up with the new one and replace wires with new ones, ONE AT A TIME. That way you won't get confused or get something cross wired.

Now your vehicle will start in the rain. Either your wires are bad and shorting in wet weather, or your cap is letting moisture in. Since you have replaced both, no worries now.

Answer 2

If what you are saying, "the engine won't crank over" but other than that it runs ok. You should replace the starter relay. That will not let juice go to the starter, after trying if a few time, It will arc enough, and warm the contacts up, usually letting the relay work. You can first unplug, and replug the relay in, just in case its a matter of a bad connection there. Try holding the key on in the start position for like five seconds, if it starts better, then replace the starter relay. The relay will probably run around eighteen dollars, or close.................good luck

Answer 3

I would worry more about the starter but if the car is an older model with a distibutor cap I would replace it and if the spark plug wires are old I would replace them sometimes the will get small cracks in them and moisture will get in the cracks causing them to not conduct the electricity to the plugs Check all of your ignition system for cracks cuts abrasions

Answer 4

A little more information about the car would help. What is the year make and model?