'91 Accord won't start when wet

I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I have
to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to catch. When
it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been raining for 5
days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The engine turned a couple
times but never caught. The spark plugs are new (less than a year, or
10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions? Thanks in
advance.

Unusual. Check your battery terminal connections. Clean them well. Are
they wet?

caroline_t wrote:
> I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I have
> to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to catch. When
> it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been raining for 5
> days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The engine turned a couple
> times but never caught. The spark plugs are new (less than a year, or
> 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions? Thanks in
> advance.

"caroline_t" <cmtwomey@[withheld]> wrote in
lkaboutautos.com:

> I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I
> have to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to
> catch. When it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been
> raining for 5 days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The
> engine turned a couple times but never caught. The spark plugs are
> new (less than a year, or 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses.
> Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>
>


Replace the plug wires, and wipe out the inside of the distributor cap.
High-tension current (used to fire the plugs) is leaking off before it hits
the plugs.

Spend the extra $20 and get OEM from the dealer. You'll help save your coil
that way.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

In article >, "TeGGeR®"
> wrote:

> "caroline_t" <cmtwomey@[withheld]> wrote in
> lkaboutautos.com:
>
> > I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I
> > have to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to
> > catch. When it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been
> > raining for 5 days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The
> > engine turned a couple times but never caught. The spark plugs are
> > new (less than a year, or 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses.
> > Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
> >
> >
>
>
> Replace the plug wires, and wipe out the inside of the distributor cap.
> High-tension current (used to fire the plugs) is leaking off before it hits
> the plugs.
>
> Spend the extra $20 and get OEM from the dealer. You'll help save your coil
> that way.

I just wanted to tell the oringinal poster to check the distributer cap
for cracks when you finish cleaning it. It's easy to miss the cracks
unless you look very carefully at it. Some people replace the distributer
cap every 30,000 miles. If you have NEVER replaced the distributer cap--go
ahead and buy a new one.

--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people.

Yup. Like everybody said, replace distributor cap, rotor, spark plug
wires and coil wire and get the baby humming again.

caroline_t wrote:
> I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I have
> to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to catch. When
> it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been raining for 5
> days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The engine turned a couple
> times but never caught. The spark plugs are new (less than a year, or
> 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions? Thanks in
> advance.


---------------

If it's spinning OK, but not firing, try holding the pedal to the floor
and crank it for ten - fifteen seconds. If it starts, you've got one
injector leaking. Especially if the problem only happens if the car sat
overnight or longer. This is decscribed in your Owner's manual as
Flooded Engine, and the manual says it's OK to do it.

'Curly'

"caroline_t" <cmtwomey@[withheld]> wrote in message
lkaboutautos.com...
>I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it.

****, you beat me!

"Rattus The RAT" > wrote in
m:

>
> "caroline_t" <cmtwomey@[withheld]> wrote in message
> lkaboutautos.com...
>>I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it.
>
> ****, you beat me!
>
>


247K on my Integra. Original clutch too.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

caroline_t wrote:
> I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I have
> to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to catch. When
> it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been raining for 5
> days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The engine turned a couple
> times but never caught. The spark plugs are new (less than a year, or
> 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions? Thanks in
> advance.
>
replace all with OEM parts:

distributor cap
rotor
spark plug wires

it should run then

"caroline_t" (cmtwomey@[withheld]) writes:
> I have a '91 accord with 230,000 miles on it. When the car is wet, I have
> to hold the key for about 5-10 seconds to get the engine to catch. When
> it catches, it runs rough for 5-10 minutes. It has been raining for 5
> days and now the car will not "catch" at all. The engine turned a couple
> times but never caught. The spark plugs are new (less than a year, or
> 10,000 miles). I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions? Thanks in
> advance.
>


As an emergency technique, you can spray 99% alcohol on the distributor
cap and wires, then let it evaporate before trying to start. This will
dispel water and make starting easier.

If you have been having many incidents of hard starting, check your oil
for the smell of gasoline. If you smell gas, your oil has been
contaminated and you should change your oil.

Dan

(This account is not used for email.)