'96 Astro Van won't start in or after rain.

[llulua]

Van has 94K. Started having this problem last year. Van ran great. Parked in driveway. Rain started that night. Came out, wouldn't start. Rain stopped. Three days later, van started. Going down road, had intermittent misses. During summer, fewer problems but occasionally van would not start if it had rained.

Replaced Cap and rotor with Delco brand. Same scenario.

Installed a new Delco fuel pump, new ignition coil, new Delco Cap and rotor, new Delco plugs with dialectric, new wires...Still, same thing when it rains.

Had it scanned several times at Advanced Auto Parts and just read "intermittent misfires."

Moved to a new house with a garage. After running perfectly, I parked van in garage. During the night it rained. Next morning Van will not start. Let sit for three days and It started.

Finally broke down and took it to a local Chevy dealer and asked them to do a complete check of everything possible concerning codes and sensors after explaining problem. They only did a code scan and charged me $85...exactly what I get for free at Auto Zone or Advanced. They did recommend a new catalytic converter for $$$$ but directed me to a local shop which installed one for $125.

Spent December in Minnesota snow and cold. No problems. Seems that van runs perfectly if temp is below 32 degrees or when no humidity when warmer.

It has been raining about once a week and problem is back. Van is in garage and will start after a few days. I decided to put a ceramic heater near the front under carriage and the van started after a day.

Is there a sensor that could be the culprit? I'm ready to push this thing over a cliff;-)

Thanks

[Steve47]

I had the same problem with my 97. I've had so many problems with the van that I'm getting to know it really well. Anyway, I removed the engine cover and sprayed the cap and plug wires with wire-dryer, (of course the way they have the plugs fashioned in these vans is a problem in itself, difficult to spray) this took care of the problem for me, I actually sprayed it twice. After spraying it the first time I let it sit for a few hours and then it started. I repeated it again the next day for good measure. Once it happened again and I was leaning towards the fuel pump, (which I've had replaced) but it turned out to be a cracked distributor cap. I hope this helps.

[diggin]

I had the same problem , it was the ignition coil. It had a small hole that burned through under the plug wire and when it got damp it would spark out and misfire or not start at all but ran great when it was dry.

[CableSux]

I have the same problem with my 99 Astro Cargo Van (4.3L). It has nothing to do with ignition as I can spray starting fluid into the air intake and keep it running. Something is cutting off the fuel flow. This has happened to me twice in the last two weeks, both times on mornings after it rained overnight. My van was sitting in the parking lot overnight, not driven in the rain, so the engine compartment is dry. The only factor is the higher humidity caused by the rain. Last week, it only rained at night and after about 3 hours of wind and drying out, it started right up. Today, it's still raining lightly occasionally, and my van won't start (been trying for 4 hours now). It will run for about 1-2 seconds, sometimes 3 or 4, then quit.

[llulua]

After, what seemed like years...The cure!

The van dropped dead in an intersection, had it towed home and started at the top of engine dismantling everything.

Discovered that the Spider Injector had deteriorated. After installing a $210 replacement all is wonderful.

Runs like new, rain or shine

[Dwar]

I went through the same repair story as Llulua. Several shops had me replace all the similar parts. But the same symptom occured shortly after each repair, car would turnover but not start, especially after rain. I eventually bought a OEM alternator and ignition coil on Ebay and had a street mechanic replace it. And now it works without a problem. Next time start at the alternator as the cause of the problem on a car that's more than 5 years old and won't start, rain or not.

Bad alternator = spooky story

[ceevester]

Glad you guys got them fixed. I've had this problem on a couple of Safari vans....and it's been the ignition coil. Even after buying and installing a NEW coil, I had the problem. Turned out the the NEW coil had a hairline crack in the cover.

I found both of the problems by putting water in a spray bottle...one that will spray a fine mist....removed the cover, and, AT NIGHT...misted the coil and distributor...actually all over...and when I cranked the engine, the blue spark could be seen coming out of the side of the coil.

These coils ALWAYS tested "good"...but all were cracked!

Returned the "new" coil for another one....put it on, and it started right up.

This coil problem can cause the vans to stop dead in their tracks...driving down the street, or failing to start in your driveway.

I'll ALWAYS start there, if the problem happens again.