413 won't start when it's raining...

[cuttsthedon]

Hi everyone, My 413 won't start after it's been raining - it appears to be temperamental if it's wet. Once started it runs fine so any ideas what could be wrong??? Be gentle with me cos I don't know a great deal about electrics etc...
Thanks in advance.
P.S. My anus is having an identity crisis. It thought it was a samurai but after reading the forum realises that it's a santana!

[chan]

what do you mean "wont start" when you turn the key does the starter motor make a clicking sound? or is the engine turning over and just wont fire?

cheers

[cuttsthedon]

It turns over fine but won't fire (I assume that's the term for it!) Everything seems normal including dashboard lights etc but won't start.

[Edweird]

I've never heard of anything like that before. I'm sure someone will have.

All that springs to mind is that there must be a short circuit somewhere or something. I suggest checking for exposed wires everywhere between sparkplugs and fusebox. Anywhere that could get wet and short it out.

Sorry I can't be of a great deal of help.

[chan]

yeah quite a difficult one this!

are the foot wells wet?

if you look underneath your dashboard on the passenger side you should see a black rubber tube (not the corrugated plastic tube) make sure its not leaking water onto the fuse board or any wires around that general area! the rubber is quite prone to perishing and leaking all over your feet.

cheers

[muddy kev]

hi,
most likely damp on ht circuit, make sure all the spark plug leads including the lead from the distributor to coil are good condition and dry, give them a soaking in wd40.
make sure the distributor cap is clean and dry and no cracks, also make sure the carbon brush in the centre is in good condition.
why u r in there if u have points and condensor ignition check their condition and settings.
its also worth replacing the rotor arm as they quite reg short out.

cheers kev

[cuttsthedon]

Cheers Chan - the washer hose has popped off the screen jet recently - that could be causing problems but I don't think it's the reason for not starting cos the other day when it hadn't been raining it started on the first try!!! I will sort it though and also check for other water under there...
Muddy Kev - I'll check the dizzy cap and leads etc - It's due a service so I may replace them all then... What's the best way to waterproof the dizzy for normal everyday use (not wading etc...) Cheers Andy

[chan]

you should use a rubber glove latex one or one you do the washing up with. a marigold i think there called

snip the tips of the fingers of put the ht from the coil to the center of the dizzy cap in the thumb and then the other ht leads in the fingers

hope you get it sorted mate

[Henry]

Firstly it sounds like an earthing problem, try putting a piece of sheet over it.



And it can be a samurai Santana... just means its Spanish

[Edweird]

If it's a spanish one (Santana) doesn't that mean it's a 410 not a 413?