Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

[gonzoflick]

OK so I have a 96 3.8 Every once in a while when it rains HARD my ignition system messes up. I have been told (and have seen with my own eyes) that our camaros leak rain directly onto the coils. My symptoms are, loss of power (it feels like im running on 4 cylinders), misfired (blinking SES), and bad gas smell. All signs of problems.. Well in the past I have replaced the 3/6 coil because that is the one that seems to have the most direct rain impact. I replaced it today to no avail. One thing I did notice however that has never happened before is when i removed the plug wire from that coil, a bunch of whiteish chalky stuff flew out and was covering the coil metal part. It looked like corosion found on a battery but im wondering if it was because the coil was bad or what. Anyways I changed the coil and same symptoms. My car is NOT DRIVABLE. Tommorow I am going to get up and try and change wires?? Maybe take all the coils to autozone to get tested (even though all they do is stick an ohm meter in them to test for resistance). What would you all suggest? Plese need some help here

Thanks

Ian

[David8399]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

i have a 96 with the same problem i took it to the dealer the coil in the front was all it was.

[wolfjm82]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

my car is doing the same thing right now, I never had any problems with just starting it and letting it run but hasnt been driven in 3 years then I drove it one night in the rain and thats when I started having those same problems...ses on and off, extremely bad stuttering/misfire

I havnt changed the plugs/wires or coils yet I was trying to find a place to get it scanned but the cheapest place within 50 miles is 80 bucks, rip off :-( so just waiting a couple more paychecks and going to replace all those things I thought it was just bad fuel at first but I tested the pump and thats fine and I also changed the fuel filter and the one I replaced was clean even after 3 years of sitting....

have you tested your coils? I was thinking about that but Ive heard that you can damage them if you dont test them right? so how do you test them right?
(and no dont have an autozone)

if you end up figuring out what the problem is before I do let me know what it is so I can get this crap fixed :-)

[landj]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

I've found just removing corrosion on the terminals of the coil and cleaning out the wire terminals the best you can helps (replacing the wires is even better if they are corroded!). Don't forget to check the plug side too while your at it. Use dielectric grease on the boot (not the metallic terminals!). The dielectric grease will prevent moisture from getting back in.

[andrew.brandon]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

when you replaced the coils did you replace the rubber grommet seperating the two prongs?

[David8399]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

i didnt replace the grommet. i actually got a free coil off a northstar. so the one i got was used just used less.

[vampyr]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

I agree with landj replace the wires clean the terminal on the coil and use greese on the boot. I have had the same problem and doing the above fixed it. to clean the teminals use a wire brush.

[Big Tymer]

Re: Rain and Ignition Coils - Major problem

i have the same problem, when it rains hard, i get misfires.... usually only lasts a couple days, but at one point it lasted a couple weeks... the first time it happened i changed the plugs and wires thinking it might fix it, yeah it didnt. although i did get better gas milage after that so i didnt lose too much