Turnover but no start

[canlboater]

I have a 93 festiva with 151000 on it. Has run like a tank for the 8 years I have had it. On Monday of this week I drove home from work (about 40 miles) in the rain with no problems. Tuesday I went to start it up and the car just turned over, did not start. I have replaced the spark wires, rotor, and distributor cap. I fired it up at night and noticed that I am getting arcing across the new spark plug lines. anyone have any ideas?

[WmWatt]

When my ignition acts up I take off all the wires, take out the spark plugs. remove the distributor cap one-at-at time and wipe them clean. I also take a pair of pliers and crimp the ends of the wires a bit to ensure a good contact. When I replace the wires I put a little white grease on the distributor cap nipples to help keep out moisture. I your case I think the arching could be caused by carbon or moisture giving the current an alternate route to ground.

[mechanicaldj]

did you replace the plugs too?
and did you replace everything before you had this problem, or after?

have you ever replaced the timing belt?
did you check if you had fuel pressure?

and yes even brand new wires can be bad out of the box or anything else in that manor

[canlboater]

re:

When my ignition acts up I take off all the wires, take out the spark plugs. remove the distributor cap one-at-at time and wipe them clean. I also take a pair of pliers and crimp the ends of the wires a bit to ensure a good contact. When I replace the wires I put a little white grease on the distributor cap nipples to help keep out moisture. I your case I think the arching could be caused by carbon or moisture giving the current an alternate route to ground.

cleaned them when I but them in. Re-cleaned to check them. I am getting the acring accross some sort of transformer that is between the coil and the destributor cap. The transformer is located right by the windshield wiper motor. I am also seeing arcing across the wires when I try to start it at night.

[canlboater]

RE

did you replace the plugs too?
and did you replace everything before you had this problem, or after?

have you ever replaced the timing belt?
did you check if you had fuel pressure?

and yes even brand new wires can be bad out of the box or anything else in that manor

Did not replace plugs (they are under a year old)

Checked timing belt last night it was fine

did not check fuel pressure

[Tim]

I had the exact same problem whenever it rained.

New wires and distrubutor cap fixed it.


Regards,

Tim

[miami man]

after my car sat for two weeks it was moisture in the coil tower of the distributor cap..all green inside from moisture and this was the 2ND time it happened.

[canlboater]

I had the exact same problem whenever it rained.

New wires and distrubutor cap fixed it.

Did that. Did not do anything

[Tim]

The next logical step would be to see if you have spark or not.

Pull the wire from a spark plug and hold the metal contact really close to something metal while your buddy cranks the engine. That should indicate whether you have a spark.


Regards,

Tim

[mattswabb]

Hold the wire while standing on the wet ground and you'll definetly know if you have spark. Trust me you'll know.

[packrat427]

If you have arcing or spark jumping across the wires ,you either bought the cheapest set of wires or secondary voltage is stacking up and looking for a way out .
Replace the plugs ,and get a good set of wires ,including the coil wire ,they SHOULD NOT jump spark at all .
You may have more problems than that ,but that is a start.

[25Horseplay]

I would start by taking that set of wires back, they shouldn't arc if they are new.

[canlboater]

Hold the wire while standing on the wet ground and you'll definetly know if you have spark. Trust me you'll know.

you know it is funny that you mention that.....I did electrocute myself when I initially had the problem. Arced through the wire and threw me.....woke me up though

[canlboater]

If you have arcing or spark jumping across the wires ,you either bought the cheapest set of wires or secondary voltage is stacking up and looking for a way out .
Replace the plugs ,and get a good set of wires ,including the coil wire ,they SHOULD NOT jump spark at all .
You may have more problems than that ,but that is a start.

all replaced. Same problem

[packrat427]

Same problem as,
No start or still sparking all over the place ?
If is not arcing now, and it is still a no start situation ,can you smell fuel while you are cranking it over ?