Wet electrics - where do I spray WD40?

[andymantell]

Hi,

Recently after a hard spell of rain, my car won't start. It turns over 'normally' as far as I can tell but the engine won't catch. My car is a 2003 seicento.

I've been told that wet electrics may be to blame, and that I should spray them with WD40 but I'm not sure which bits to spray. Do I just spray every single wire I can see or are there particular bits which need doing?

Some people have mentioned spraying the distributor cap but I don't think I have one of those.

Also, some people mentioned that I should check the fuel cut off switch. I've tried pressing it and I physically can't press it in any more - presumably that means that it hasn't been activated and that this isn't the problem?

Thanks

Andy

 

[beau]

so

when u turn on ur igntion do you hear the fuel pump cut in for a few seconds from under the rear seat area? buzz noise. (quiet so listen hard lol)

 

[andymantell]

Hmm, I just tried and I couldn't hear anything, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm listening for so it's hard to tell. I left it turning over for a few seconds and the rhythm kind of sped up at one point, as if it was trying to catch but it didn't happen...

Is there any merit to putting the accelerator to the floor whilst starting up?

 

[andymantell]

Oh wait, do you mean a buzzing sound from before you've started trying to turn the engine on? So, just the first turn of the key?

 

[beau]

yeah the buzz, turn ignition on before starting and should hear buzz noise from rear of car for 10 seconds or so, which will show its getting fuel.

then move on and check its getting a spark to the spark plugs.

 

[andymantell]

Aha, I do get the buzzing sound, but only for about 3 seconds though.

So, how do I check the spark plugs are sparking?

Thanks ever so much for your help btw, and apologies for my lack of knowledge!

 

[beau]

Aha, I do get the buzzing sound, but only for about 3 seconds though.

So, how do I check the spark plugs are sparking?

Thanks ever so much for your help btw, and apologies for my lack of knowledge!

well yeah that will still be ok.

u got any spark plugs anywhere? cos you need to remove a ht lead, put a plug in it, rest it against the engine block to earth it, and turn engine over and check it sparks.

 

[andymantell]

Unfortunately no, I don't have any spare spark plugs, I don't really have many tools either so Im probably out of my depth at this point!

I guess it's time to try and roll it to a garage in that case :-(

Is the WD40 worth trying? I reckon I can manage that!

 

[beau]

Unfortunately no, I don't have any spare spark plugs, I don't really have many tools either so Im probably out of my depth at this point!

I guess it's time to try and roll it to a garage in that case :-(

Is the WD40 worth trying? I reckon I can manage that!

in older cars yes, cos the distributor gets damp, and then wont spark.

your car has coil pack, so nothing to spray and clean out.

theres nothing really to spray.

 

[andymantell]

Ok, fair enough. Thanks very much for your help though

Am gonna coax the AA out methinks...

Cheers!

Andy

 

[andymantell]

In case anyone with a similar problem stumbles across this from google, it turned out that the problem was that the engine was flooded with fuel. I had moved the car just a few metres a few days ago but because it wasn't running for very long it had left lots of fuel in the engine. The next time I tried to start it, it was cold which apparently put even more fuel in the engine.

All the guy did was connect up his battery so that we didn't drain ours and just turned the key for like 30 seconds until it started...

Oh well

Cheers

Andy