I own a 93 Mitsubishi Diamant Wagon. I changed the plugs/wires on my car about a week ago. Everything went smoothly, and my car had been running fine up untill this morning. I went outside to start it up, and it wouldn't start. My bf came out to help, and he was looking while I was trying to start it and noticed that a current was arcing, on the shortest plug wire, the one that does not attach to any of the spark plugs. (I don't know what this particular wire is called) We put the old wire on, and it started right up. That was about 3 hours ago. I just went out to start it again, and I am having the same problem. The old wire was on there, but the current was arcing, and it would not start. We tried putting the new wire back on, and it's doing the same thing. It is damp out...but I don't see how that could be the problem. Please help...I don't know a lot about cars, but it seems like a simple thing to me that can be fixed, I just don't know how..... [:@]

 

Could just be that it is humid. It shouldnt do that though... um... a long shot... but take a hair dryer to it.. that should dry it out lol

 

Okay but if that is it, does that mean I am going to have to carry a blow dryer around in my glove box? Ideally I would like my car to start when I tell it to. No matter what the weather is like. It is going to be very humid in the months to come, and I don't want to have to deal with this every day. Any suggestions? I was about to go out and by a new ignition coil for it, but I think before I do that I will exchange the wire (theres a warranty) and see if a new dry one will help. I'm thinking that it is the humidity because when I put the old one in this morning, (it had been nice and dry in my house) It started right up. But after sitting in the humidity for a few hours it was giving me the same problem...I just don't want to have to deal with this all the time....so please any suggestions would be very much appreciated....

 

No to be hoenst it shouldnt happen. If that is what the problem is... once you have dried it out it should be a very very long time before any water/humidity does that again. If you keep getting this problem then change your wires.

 

Also spray water repelant onto it... make sure that its bone dry before you put it back though.

 

Well good news...I got my car running again with the blow dryer, so hopefully like you said that will be it. I am nervous though that it will not start again after a couple of hours. I think it is supposed to stay humid, at least through the night. I hope I hope I hope I can get it started in the morning....

you mean I should just take the wire off, spray the wire with water repellant, and wait for it to dry before putting it back on? Someone told me I need to make sure I get a silicone spray or something, but to make sure that it conducts electricity. Is this correct...?

 

Silicone is great... water conducts electricity... need i say more? lol Just spray it with a silicone repellant and let it dry... not too heavy either or you will screw it up. Just a split second squirt will do. Hey ... looks like i was right... not bad 4 a 15 y/o eh?

Let me know how it goes. If the problem keeps up then you should replace the wire.

 

Well I don't see how it could be the wire considering it was brand new, and I was having the same issue with two different wires. I just took my car out for a drive. Probably 1.5 hours after the last time I drove it and she started up...I hope she starts in the morning. I'll look into that spray, especially if it wont start tomorrow. But at least I know now that I can take a blow dryer to it to get me to work lol.

How do u know so much about cars if u can't legally drive?

 

lol good question. Well i spend alot of my time around cars. Ask questions and over time i built up my knowledge. I might not be able to drive...at least not legally but i can still race on the local tracks.

I think it could have just been a little humidity in the wires. Maybe the repellant isnt even needed. Once the dampness is gone it shouldnt really come back.

 

Okaaaaay....I'll let ya know how it goes...