Jetta III hard to start after rain

[Ric Johnson]

I am experiencing an annoying problem w/ my '96 Jetta 2.0. The car is very reticent to start after it has rained overnight since last driving it. It takes a lot of cranking and sometimes does not fire on all 4 until revved and cleared out several times. If driven too soon w/o warmup it can misfire and even stall. Once running and warmed up it runs perfectly. If it hasn't rained overnight it starts and runs fine. Once running it's fine for the rest of the day, even on rainy days driving in the wet. It performed w/o a glitch throughout an abnormally nasty, snowy & cold Iowa winter.

Anyone experience anything similar or have a suggestion? Cap and rotor have been replaced recently, plug wires and plugs within the last year.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[CadburyRabbit]

Moisture build up in the iginition?

Not a mechnic or very mechnical, but just a thought.....

[berserker]

When you say, "after driving it in the rain last night", do you mean driving it in teh rain, or driving it in 6" of rain and flooded road?

[OrangeDUB]

Sounds like time for a new coil pack. Pop the hood at night and spray water on the coilpack. If you see arcing then replace it.

Wait do you have a coilpack or dizzy??

[DSV]

Sounds like time for a new coil pack.

Exactly. I'm willing to bet your ignition coil is toast. I had this same problem with my car last summer. Any time it was wet out the moisture would seep into the engine bay and into the coil.

[Ric Johnson]

When you say, "after driving it in the rain last night", do you mean driving it in teh rain, or driving it in 6" of rain and flooded road?

Actually I said after it's been parked in the rain. Driving in the rain is not an issue.


Exactly. I'm willing to bet your ignition coil is toast. I had this same problem with my car last summer. Any time it was wet out the moisture would seep into the engine bay and into the coil.

That seems to be the consensus. I guess it's buy a coil and hope!

Thanks to all for the replies!:tu: