Why Won't the Car Start on Rainy Days?
2 Answers
Since most of the vehicle's wiring and pipelines are concentrated in the engine compartment, driving through water can inevitably cause internal wiring and pipelines to get splashed. Over time, this can easily lead to short circuits in the wiring and clogged fuel lines, resulting in the most direct issue: the car won't start. Below are some related explanations: 1. Water-soaked vehicles: For vehicles that have been soaked in water, there will be more issues. Even after opening the engine cover and drying it, there is still some risk when attempting to start the engine. The best approach is to tow the car to a sunny spot on a clear day to let it dry thoroughly, ensuring all moisture in the corners evaporates. Additionally, if there are any leaks, they can cause electrical connections in the ignition coil to short. Simply dry these areas and ensure they are waterproof. Also, check if the battery is dead. 2. Battery issues: In cold temperatures, the electrolyte in the battery becomes more viscous, reducing its permeability and increasing resistance, which lowers the output power. This makes it difficult for the starter to turn the engine, preventing it from reaching the minimum starting speed and affecting engine ignition. Moreover, the low terminal voltage of the battery results in weak sparks from the spark plugs, and the increased resistance between electrodes due to the dense mixture makes it harder to ignite the mixture, further contributing to the difficulty in starting the engine.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many cases of cars failing to start in rainy weather, mainly due to moisture issues. When spark plugs get damp, their ignition capability weakens, and if the high-voltage wires are aged, they may even leak electricity. Last time, a friend's car had condensation inside the distributor cap, causing the spark to short-circuit directly. In cold and damp conditions, the battery's capacity also diminishes, and old batteries are particularly prone to losing charge. I recommend keeping a dry towel handy to wipe the ignition coils before starting. If the air filter gets wet, it should be removed and dried. Regularly replace cracked high-voltage wires, check the battery condition before the rainy season, and try not to park in low-lying areas with standing water. These tips can save you several trips to the repair shop.
