1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

GSL-SE wet starting issues

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Old Nov 7, 2006 | 06:43 PM
  #1  
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GSL-SE wet starting issues

well... everytime there is a heavy rain, and my car sits in it for hours, it wont start. i have to let it dry out for many hours before it will start again. during that time, i checked the spark and it was good. i sprayed gas in intake to make sure it was getting gas and it still wouldnt kick. so... after it sits and like.. dries out, it will fire up, but shoot a TON of smoke and run really rought for a min or two, then i will clear out and run fine until next time. i have no clue what could be getting wet and screwin everthing up. its getting spark and gas. PLEASE HELP!
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Old Nov 7, 2006 | 07:01 PM
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Water in an electrical connector can do this. Can you test the check engine codes? find the sensor that is causing trouble and fill the connector with dielectric grease to keep water out. MAF maybe?
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Old Nov 7, 2006 | 07:07 PM
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Cracked distributor cap?

DD
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Old Nov 7, 2006 | 10:37 PM
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Yep, cap and rotor is where I would start...
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 05:57 AM
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well thats the thing, that is where i did start. it was dry as could be under there. i even put on a new cap just to make sure. which electronic connections should i check first next time? thanks
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 09:18 AM
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I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM with my 84 gsl. If it was just showers, no problem. But an all day heavy rain, NO GO. The irony is that I found every time this happened it was because the engine was flooded. I dont know if you have a carb or injection, but here is what cured my problem: The negative battery cable was not grounded well enough to the strut tower.,the engine was not turning over fast enough, and it would flood. Why every time it rained, is still a mystery. But sand the crap out of the the end of the cable that attaches to the tower, and sand the connection point down to bare metal, then coat with white grease to repel water. Give it a try and see what happens.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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hmm...yeah ill have to try that. yeah, it seems like it is flooding.....cause fumeswll be coming out of the exhaust when its turning over, it just wont fire.....thanks
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 03:26 PM
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I'm just going to throw out another suggestion, but what about vacuum lines?
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 03:31 PM
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Have you test for error code stored in the ECU?

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/electrical-se-error-code-write-up-285461/
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Old Nov 10, 2006 | 02:12 AM
  #10  
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Now I'm wondering if you have a poor connection on a temp sensor. That would tell the computer that the engine is cold, causing it to run rich which could lead to flooding in a warm engine...
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Old Nov 10, 2006 | 11:13 AM
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Remove all vital connections. Inspect for miosture or corrosion. Scrape the terminals clean, fill with dielectric grease and reassemble. Temps sensor makes sense. MAF too. But I said that already.
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