moisture in the air causes hard starting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rvolheim · #1 06-04-2003, 05:01 PM

Hi,
Second post today about my '85 190E-16 valve. When it's really WET outside, it doesn't want to start. Kinda like my old Alfa was, which was caused by moisture in the distributor. But I'm told that my 190 has an electronic ignition, and that moisture shouldn't cause this problem. What, then, do you think is causing it? Thanks again. Randy

manny · #2 06-04-2003, 05:38 PM

Plug wires ?
Start the engine & while it is idling spray the wires etc. with a fine water mist ( windex bottle works good ).
If there is any trace of misfiring or you see sparks jumping, change the wires.

G-Benz · #3 06-04-2003, 05:44 PM

Hard starting problems in moist weather could also caused by a faulty ignition coil...

#4 06-05-2003, 08:59 AM

In the old days of weak, point type ignitions, when a car or truck would not start and someone went on a service call they ALWAYS took a distributor cap. The almost ALWAYS needed it when they got there.

I have never been able to find the cracks that caused these caps to give a no start condition, but they were always there if you looked hard enough. I would not replace the cap as an experiment, but I would inspect it closely, preferably with a magnifying glass.

Good luck,

G-Benz · #5 06-05-2003, 02:06 PM

If you have a distributor cap, do check it. It's a cheap fix to replace it anyway.

I STILL believe that the ignition coil is your problem, based on my experiences with hard starting in moist weather.

But start with the cap, and then take a look at that coil...

haasman · #6 06-05-2003, 02:16 PM

Cap, and the rotor.

Haasman