automotive question?

Question

why is it my gmc van does not start when there is humidity in the air? it doesnt NOT start everytime, but it seems that is when it happens most. most times, once it starts, it is good for the day. but the other day, i drove down to the store, and when i walked out, it was dead. what happens is, i turn the key, and all the lights and the radio come on, but when i turn the ignition to start, it does nothing. not even a crank like it wants to start. its frustrating being left at work or the grocery store. please someone help.

ps. i have two theories on the matter. starter or distributor cap.

Answer 1

You didn't say what you do after it stalls to get it started again, which would help with diagnosis.

Off the top, I'd say that the VERY FIRST thing to check is your battery connection (easiest diagnosis and cheapest fix next to fuses). Make sure that the connectors are not corroded, that they are snug with the posts, and that your cables are in reasonably good shape (sometimes a dirty cable connection will give you enough 'juice' for minor operations but not for fire-n-go). In fact, you don't have to wait until the next time you stall. Pop the hood, jiggle the cables and try to start. Repeat until you are satisfied it isn't (or is) this. Lastly, check the battery itself. How old is it? Maybe the cell is dying.

If you have a meter-reader, check your fuses (although I doubt it would be that because if it were, you wouldn't get it started until that was resolved). I just had this problem with one of my cars and another yahooer was right-on-the-money about it. See here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtXHdrb02mQcjTuTpKaI15nty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071016152939AA0t2Ru

Finally, if not this, it could be the starter that is beginning to go on the fritz.

Good luck!
.

P.S. I doubt it would be the distributor cap, but that isn't too expensive I think. If you have an AutoZone near you, buy one and then return it if you see it doesn't work. Check first to see if it is a returnable object, but mostly they are pretty great at taking returns.

Answer 2

A no crank symptom such as yours typically means you need to remove and clean the battery cables and posts using the wire brush type below you buy at the auto parts stores. You also should buy a new battery for the winter if yours is 4 or 5 years old, or drive to an auto parts store and have the battery and charging system checked for free. Jump start the car to get it to the auto store. The fact that the lights and radio come on does not mean your battery is good and fully charged because cranking the starter motor and engine draws 150 Amperes which is almost 20 times the miniscule amperage drawn by the lights and radio.

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43793/article.html

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2010636/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2010636/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=battery+post+cleaner+brush

Answer 3

Both of your theories are wrong. The no start is an electrical problem that does not allow the starter to get power, the distributor is not part of this circuit. Follow the advice and clean your battry terminals till they shine.

Answer 4

If it doesn't even click when trying to start, look into bad cables, or bad solonoid switch.
If the lights stay on and fairly bright when activating the starter, then it's the solonoid switch and not the battery or cables.

Answer 5

i agree.... a no crank will be related to battery connections/ ground strap(s).... good cranking no start when damp will be secondary ign.

Answer 6

the ignition coil has a crack in it and it is retaining moisture