Alfetta 2000 hard to start.

[simmi1983]

Hi guys,

To my other Alfetta...
This one is a run around shitter, but it seems whenever I leave it outside and there's rain it gets impossible to start- even after the rain has been gone a few days and even though it ran fine when I parked it there.
  Do these things get moisture problems anywhere?
 Cap and rotor all good and I sprayed the ignition module and hall effect sensor plug with wd40 to chase out moisture.

It seems you wait a few days and off it will go after lots of time trying to start it.

I really like them when they drive but it really feels like you don't know what you're gonna get when you jump in it.

Thanks,

Luke   

[MD]

Well let's think about it out loud. Only 3 elements make it run. The air is the same. Fuel I presume it has in abundance. So 2 out of 3 it has.

The fly in the ointment has to be electrical. You are on the money trail. Humidity could be playing a part in any borderline ignition connection where there may also be verdigris present. This can result in a voltage drop over that connection. The system may produce a spark but not high enough voltage. Is there a high intensity spark at time of cranking? Check ignition relay. Do you have a failing coil, ballast resistor (if it has one) faulty ignition module?

My actual diagnosis is rebuff from the utter shame of being called a shitter. No Alfetta deserves that. I think you need to show it some love with a cut and polish. She is a girl after all..flowers in the back seat and some tyre shine perhaps may win her over.   )

[Craig_m67]

... I always found they preferred to be driven hard and put away wet always won them over, works out any niggles too

[Colin Edwards]

WD-40 is a relatively polar / has a higher dielectric constant than WD-40 contact cleaner. 
Relative to WD-40 contact cleaner, plain old WD-40 (and CRC) will displace moisture for a while then begin to re-attract it!!
Better to use a recognised electrical contact cleaner / lubricant (like WD-40 Contact Cleaner) on all 12V electrical connections.  An electrical contact cleaner will also likely have less effect on plastic shrouds and electrical insulation. 

[bazzbazz]

Cap and rotor all good and I sprayed the ignition module and hall effect sensor plug with wd40 to chase out moisture.

WD40 should never be used on anything electrical as it has a lubricating/penetrating oil as part of its formula.

[NSharpley]

Have you checked your accelerator pump jets are functioning correctly?

Rain wouldn't affect them but if you're having starting issues most of the time that that will be the culprit.

[simmi1983]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm really sorry I didn't see them as I didn't get any notifications for any repies. That and I parked it up ever since.