Revisit rain/start headaches

[G8wood]

Lets see...new coil, ignition module, cap, rotor, plugs, wires (new fuel pump and all that goes with it) checked connections, battery-while older still has correct load when starting-
Still lurches under acceleration, as well as the fear of it may, or may not start when its rainy for a few days.

Thoughts as to what to replace next?? I think I'm running out of stuff to replace- anyone with wetstart problem find the cure with an odd ground, or something other than the usual suspects?

regards, CWG

[Blue Bowtie]

It would be very helpful if you can duplicate the no-start condition, then determine if hte problem is due to lack of ignition, injector pulses, fuel pressure, or any combintion of those.

I think your "W" engine should have a cam position sensor - Have you checked to see? That could interfere with both the ignition and injector pulses.

[G8wood]

No error codes show when I have a "no start"
symptons- it cranks weak/no spark, no fuel pressure- I actually thought at one point it was the fuel pump when combined with the other problems at that particular time. (intermittent fuel pressure with key on during no starts)
Its got the throttle body-
cam position sensor...um, time to crack the book to see what/where that is LOL.
Thanks for the input, I love the van, had for nine years now, but the thought of getting stuck somewhere far from home keeps me using it for what I bought it for! Its garage kept for the last 4 years, so the rain problem just hasn't happened- except last year when we travelled out of state.
The ticker is I cant duplicate the problem with a garden hose! Dog house off, sprayed water every where, I mean everywhere, and I mean everywhere including running the hose up under the body, on top of the fuel tank, thinking a ground kept it from firing- fired up fine- as well as the water mister trick while its running.
Not to say I've overlooked something obvious, thats happened before, I'll check the cam sensor, are those suceptable to the damp no start problem?
regards, CWG

[Blue Bowtie]

What happens to the battery voltage whn you experience the no-start? Does it fall below 10.5V?

[G8wood]

blue, nope- it wavers around 10.75 or 11 at lowest, and when I have the charger on (if it doesnt start immediately when its "damp" I go ahead and put the battery charger on it as I know it'll kill the battery) it doesn't go below 11 volts.
I read a thread about a blow drier, and when I keep trying to start it - it does heat up- not like running the engine, but it does heat up no doubt from repeated attempts, it will eventually start.
I thought I'd fixed it when I replaced the fuel pump/annotator (whatever that thing is called) filter, a few feet of line, filters etc...but nay LOL, it stuck me at of all places my father in laws new house 7 hours from here- oh the shame

[scottnhalifax]

after working in the shop with alot of the 4.3 w engines i replace alot of distributer in these as the shafts in them wear out causing misfire and related problems
scott

[G8wood]

thanks scott, I'll have the doghouse off tomorrow for another inspection, maybe pull the shaft
yeesh, only 100K on it

[G8wood]

UPDATE:

We had two days of slow rain- warm to cool- typically the exact kind of conditions that would keep me from starting the engine.
Fired up fine!
No lurching uphill under mild load- ignited the pistons with only a short twist of the key.

After reading dozens of posts, replacing all the stuff that others found "fixed" the damp start. (but didnt work for me- read the list I've replaced) it turned out to be, as far as I can tell, the coil- not the coil itself but the bracket.
And/or the connectors- crud built up, grease covered male/female ends-
I still have the old coil and it tests on the low side of what was acceptable- new coil (cheap OEM) tested in the middle.
Removed the bracket, cleaned the bolts, and the mounting surface, re-dielectric greased the new mounting surface after cleaning it well.
Used brake cleaner on ALL the connectors I could find, greased those on reassembly, and its finally fixed.
- the first week of solid 40 degree temps and rain will be the killer test.
I'll repost IF it doesnt start. But hope this helps someone with the damp start that isn't obvious.
Thanks for everyones help
regards, CWG