1991 Honda Accord Hard Start in Rain

1991 HONDA ACCORD
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MXTRP
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  • 2 POSTS
Hi I have a 1991 Honda Accord EX with 172,000 miles that is experiencing some starting problems. The car sometimes will not crank--when I feather the gas pedal it will then crank. Sometimes it doesn't though. I noticed that it seems that when the car sits overnight and we get a hard rain the car has a very difficult time starting in the morning. The car does not have a problem starting all the time only once every few days or as mentioned above. Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

MT
Feb 2, 2007 at 2:04 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Is it possible that you can narrow it down to not wanting to start in wet conditions? You mentioned a heavy rain, so how about after a car wash or an engine sprayed with water? I am getting at a possible wire cover on the distributor or plug. They get old do not fit so well and moisture can get in and affect the electron flow.
Sep 30, 2020 at 3:49 AM
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MXTRP
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Hi Bruce,

It seems that it happens more often when it rains. However, I have never had a problem after washing the car, maybe this is because the car is running when it is being washed. Could the gasket for the distributor cap be no good and it is allowing moisture inside the cap too? I have a minor valve cover leak also and already have a gasket kit to install. So I think that I will replace the spark plug wires, spark plugs and distributor cap.

Any other suggestions?

MT
Sep 30, 2020 at 3:49 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
No, I think when you have completed that you may have solved your problem. When you replace the plug wires make sure you use the silicone they provide to lube the plug connectors. Let us know what happens.
Sep 30, 2020 at 3:49 AM

Suggested Repair

Replace the spark plug wires, spark plugs, and distributor cap, and use the supplied silicone to lubricate the plug connectors. Moisture entering worn wire boots or the distributor is the likely cause of hard starting after rain.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1991 Honda Accord EX reports intermittent no-crank starts, sometimes helped by feathering the gas pedal and worse after overnight hard rain. The expert suspects moisture entering worn distributor or plug-wire covers. The owner plans to replace the plug wires, plugs, and distributor cap, and the expert agrees that should address the problem if the connectors are lubricated with the supplied silicone.

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