99 Dodge Strauts won't start when it rains!!

1999 DODGE STRATUS
Avatar
ADSIMKO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 99 Dodge Stratus ES 4 door, V6 2.5 Liter Automatic, with 120K miles-(fuel injected) that will not start when it rains. Unless they make really big umbrellas I need help. :-)
I took it in (on a sunny day , of course) and the dealer could not find a problem. I asked them to spray the car with water, but they thought I was crazy. It's hard to take in when it's raining because it won't start......HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!
Apr 17, 2007 at 8:20 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MCFERRANCE
  • MEMBER
  • 100 POSTS
Bad spark plug wires and worn out spark plugs will do this. When was the last time they were changed?
Apr 17, 2007 at 9:28 PM
Avatar
BENDARE2
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
[quote:bf10772b3a="adsimko"]I have a 99 Dodge Stratus ES 4 door, V6 2.5 Liter Automatic, with 120K miles-(fuel injected) that will not start when it rains. Unless they make really big umbrellas I need help. :-)
I took it in (on a sunny day , of course) and the dealer could not find a problem. I asked them to spray the car with water, but they thought I was crazy. It's hard to take in when it's raining because it won't start......HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!![/quote:bf10772b3a]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next time it won't start.......put a hair dryer on the distributor, on high for a few seconds.......it may start.
I had the same problem...Sprayed it with moisture blocker/ helped some.
But........replaced the distributor...fixed.
I guess the old one collected condensation....??

Just something to try........
I could just turn the hairdryer on high......by the time I got in the car and hit the starter, off she went....fast even.........!!........go figure, eh?

Good luck.............Ol'Ben
Apr 18, 2007 at 1:11 PM
Avatar
DAICAR89
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I might know the answer to this one. My son-in-law just bought a 1998 dodge stratus and when it rained it wouldn't start. I opened the hood and noticed water on the spark plug wires. I saw that water was coming in at the hole where the windshield wiper mist or squirt module is. We have since replaced the faulty plastic squirter(?) and now it starts when it rains.
Jun 22, 2007 at 8:23 AM
Avatar
BENDARE2
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
[quote:88e92e2829="adsimko"]I have a 99 Dodge Stratus ES 4 door, V6 2.5 Liter Automatic, with 120K miles-(fuel injected) that will not start when it rains. Unless they make really big umbrellas I need help. :-)
I took it in (on a sunny day , of course) and the dealer could not find a problem. I asked them to spray the car with water, but they thought I was crazy. It's hard to take in when it's raining because it won't start......HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!![/quote:88e92e2829]
================================
I had the same problem with a caravan/ 3.3.

Next time it doesn't start......place a hair dryer(yep!) on the distributor, if you find one.
Give it about 2 minutes and see......that would fix my problem temporarily.

Looked but couldn't find a crack in the cap/ replacing that may help also.

If that works.......
I sprayed my distributor with a waterproofing/ sealler product....I did it 2 0r 3 times to improve my odds.

I never had another rainy day problem again.

Just worth a try, eh?

Good luck..............Ol'Ben
Feb 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Avatar
BLACKOP555
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 10,386 POSTS
Let me throw my hat in the ring here, at night, block the vehicles wheels, put on the parking brake, and the brakes and let the vehicle warm up, when it is warm pop the hood, ahve a buddy stand in the front put it in drive and get the rpm's up to about 2,500 slowly raise it and look for a light show going on under your hood, a little bit by the plugs are alright, but not a light show going on. try raising rpm's slowly or try it fast.


also you can try misting parts of the engien on a dry day and if the vehicle stalls out you have found the problem.
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.