88 5kq Will not start on damp January day, temp in 50's

[John Sherrow]

I had a similar problem solved by replacing plug wires. When I replaced them
one had corroded badly.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Duane" <andrew at savaJe.com>
To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: 88 5kq Will not start on damp January day, temp in 50's


> This was usually a symptom of old/bad wires. The dampness can get
> into some small cracks in the wires or connectors. Twice I had this
> and putting new wires in cured the problems.
>
> (pausing to don Kevlar suit.....)
>
> BTW, my 2 cents worth on wires is to stick with the Bosch OEM ones.
> I've tried Blue Ignitors, and some other "high-end" replacements
> with marginal results. For less money, the Bosch just work.
>
> Hairy green toads from Mars made SJ say:
> > Car wouldnt start today. Tried to catch once . .then it just cranks.
> >
> > Sprayed starting fluid into one of the bonnet hose inlets. No reaction,
it
> > just cranks.
> > Took off Distributor cap, looked for carbon arc traces . .didnt notice
any.
> > . cleaned the cap insides. Tried starting - nope, it just cranks.
> > Weather condition - rather warm for January, 50+F. Humid, damp .
> >
> > Over the last 2 weeks or so, I have noticed a bit of a miss under load
when
> > the engine was not fully warmed up. One plug maybe misfiring .. it was a
> > subtle sympton.
> >
> > Put the battery on a charger. Came back after about 2 hours or so.
Weather
> > dried up a bit. Tried starting the engine . .vrooooom!
> >
> > I wrote about a similar problem before which happened to my other audi >
90
> > 100Q. No start on rainy damp day, temp around 50 F.
> > http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/quattro/2003-December/085586.html
> > Subject was: "Odd engine problem on a rainy day . . chug, chug, chug,
chug"
> >
> > Looks like I'm having the same problem. Last time it was a no spark/bad
> > spark/crossed spark that was causing the symptom due to carbon tracks
inside
> > the distrubutor cap.
> >
> > I ordered a new cap, rotor, and plugs. Will put them in tomorrow.
> > I will write an update post in a couple of days after I test out the new
> > parts.
> >
> > SJ
> > 85 Dodge PU, D-250, 318, auto
> > 85 Audi 4k - - sold but still on the road
> > 88 Audi 5kq
> > 90 Audi 100q
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -- 
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.23/243 - Release Date:
1/27/2006
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > quattro mailing list
> > quattro at audifans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
>
> -- 
>
> Andrew Duane            Member Technical Staff - SPG
> SavaJe Technologies     andrew at savaje.com
> 100 Apollo Drive        p: 978.856.4943
> Chelmsford, MA 01824    f: 978.256.8386
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
> quattro at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro