won't start when wet out?!?

[birar]

I now have a 97 geo metro lsi with the 1.3L i put the engine in it bout a month ago its been running great for bout 2 weeks now i went 2 start it yesterday after we got some rain it didnt start I though ok prolly needs a cap rotor and plugs and wires so i rolled into my dry shop and performed a tune up got done fired rite up i was like cool but then i went 2 start it again this morning nothing it cranked alot with out a pop Im thinken maybe a bad crank sensor or a coil its possible i have a bad wire that i may have damaged putten the engine in but i really doubt it nothing looks knurled and i checked for corrosion in acouple connecters for the ignition and now its been dry all day i tryed starten it again and what do u know it started WTF! if u have any ideas what it could be it would be greatly appreciated if u shared

[Crvett69]

might have moisture inside dist cap. next time it doesn't start take cap off and look at inside for moisture and check rotor too.

[birar]

replaced the cap and rotor already after it didnt start the first time no signs of condinsation in the cap it was perfectly dry i even sealed it up with rtv after i replaced those things

[91Caprice9c1]

You'll need to confirm which part of the combustion equation is disappearing under the moist conditions so that you can narrow down your diagnostic approach.

When the car fails to start next time, look for the presence of spark and fuel.

-MechanicMatt

[sbiddle]

Had a Subaru about a hundred years ago with the same symptoms. Turns out it was a bad ignition coil. A good test is to get it running when it's dry and with a spray bottle of water, spray the ignition components.
when it sputters and dies, you've found your problem. Even better, do it at night. You may be treated to a light show under your hood.

[91Caprice9c1]

Excellent input Sbid.

I used to have an old Porsche 924 and the ignition cables were surrounded by a metallic lip at the top of the distributor. When diagnosing a hard start condition at night one time I got to see such a light show! Yeah, I bought new cables.

-MechanicMatt

[birar]

well i think i found the problem i havent had a chance 2 find out wat it was misseing when it got wet out well 2 day it wouldnt start again i had spark the injecter wasnt sprayen i changed it out with one i had layen around and it started i guess i will see 2 mrrw morning it better start or else !!! im gonna kick the door in