No Start - After Heavy Rain

[sxp]

I've had this happen twice to me now. When I'm parked on a hill, nose down, my '96 LX450 won't start. It has been wet (rainy) and in the 50's both times. It turns over, but doesn't fire off. There is spark, fuel, all electrical, etc. I even had it towed to my mechanic (a Lexus specific shop) the first time, and they couldn't find anything wrong. When it arrived at their place (on flat ground), it started up for them without issue.

Any thoughts as to what I should be looking for to fix this? I've searched the forum, but nothing this specific has popped up.

~pics for clicks~

 

[73lndcrsr]

Two things come to mind for verification.
Since temp, moisture and an angle are common, I would check all grounds. Maybe one is a bit loose or allowing moisture to interfere. I would also check the wiring harness behind the EGR.

When it doesn't start; Did you notice if the check engine light comes on with key on?

 

[sxp]

So it started right up this morning while on a hill. The hill that it was stuck on last night. Today is dry though, so it must be a rain thing. I'll start checking grounds lIke you suggested, 73.

 

[sxp]

Figured I would put some closure on this in case anybody thread searches with similar symptoms.

I replaced my distributor gasket, and that seems to have fixed the issue.

 

[sxp]

I "fixed" this issue in the spring with a new distributor gasket. Everything has been fine until today. It was raining all night, and now it won't start. It is odd that it hasn't been an issue all summer. It actually turned over, ran for a second, and then shut off this morning when I first tried to start it up. The distributor was dry inside too. My next plan of attack is to build a flap to protect the fuse box and wiring on the driver's side of the engine compartment. If this fixes it, then I know there is water getting into the wiring on that side. If that doesn't fix it, I'll move on to something else.

 

[DocuDude]

Wish you luck and thanks for following up

 

[sxp]

Wish you luck and thanks for following up

No problem. I hate finding threads that lead to dead ends.

Does anybody have any thoughts on a wet fuel pump relay being a possible cause for a no start? That area of my truck gets really wet during storms. With almost 300k on the clock, and most likely an original relay, I can imagine it being an issue. The LX started today since it was dry out. It was a bit stumbly until a minute or so had passed. It has been fine since.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, When it won’t start are the plugs wet with fuel or dry? Mike

 

[sxp]

Hi, When it won’t start are the plugs wet with fuel or dry? Mike

Not sure. I haven't pulled the plugs when this happens. I have checked for spark (which it has), and have checked for fuel by pulling the fuel line. It has fuel, but now I'm thinking that the fuel could be from the initial priming of the pump during start up. Then if they relay dies, no more fuel to keep it running.

It seems that every time this happens is when I need to get to work which limits the amount of time I can troubleshoot it.

 

[Michael Hanson]

I’d see if the plugs themselves are getting fuel. They always break at the worst time, at least your not back in the woods .Mike

 

[sxp]

I’d see if the plugs themselves are getting fuel. They always break at the worst time, at least your not back in the woods .Mike

That's a good point. I'll check them directly next time it happens. So if they are wet, that would mean that it is not a fueling problem and instead would be a spark problem, correct?

 

[Michael Hanson]

Probably. But if they are dry , why? Mike

 

[tacocat]

Perhaps there is water pooling above your gas tank and causing a short in the fuel pump.

 

[MoJ]

Inspect the interior fuse panel as well as the wiring and relays inside the driver's side kick panel for signs of moisture. You might have a windshield or sunroof leak. Inspect the ECU and pass side kick panel as well. All super easy.

 

[sxp]

Inspect the interior fuse panel as well as the wiring and relays inside the driver's side kick panel for signs of moisture. You might have a windshield or sunroof leak. Inspect the ECU and pass side kick panel as well. All super easy.

I've checked all of this before, but it's a good point, I'll check it again. Currently, there is no moisture inside the cabin, and I just checked my sunroof drains the other day when I was lubing up the tracks.

Perhaps there is water pooling above your gas tank and causing a short in the fuel pump.

How would water get up there when the vehicle is parked?

 

[tacocat]

No clue. Grabbing at straws. It may be a matter of condensation rather than rain. It sounds fuel related since the rig turns over, starts and then dies.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Replace the fuel pressure damper. Mike

 

[sxp]

Replace the fuel pressure damper. Mike

There's no fpd on a 1fz motor.

 

[sxp]

I added some weather stripping to the driver's side of the engine compartment to help keep water out of the engine bay. I noticed that the hood is much closer to the curb side leaving a nice gap on the driver's side to allow water in. I'll have to better align it at a later date. I know this is more of a band-aid than a true fix, but if it works, I know the area I need to key in on for proper repairs.

 

[brianh699]

How old are your spark plug wires? I had a similar problem. Didn't figure it out until one day it happened when trying to leave for work. Truck wouldn't start so I popped the hood and had the try to crank it. I could see slight blue sparks jumping around the ignition coil, it was very dark outside at the time or I wouldn't have been able to see them. Replaced just the coil wire a little later and it fired right up, haven't had any issues since.