2000 Camry and The Rain

[rachmul18]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I have a 2000 Toyota Camry LE and it gives me no problems except when its parked in the rain for close to an hour it doesn't like to turn over. The other day, I got it to turn over but my car/engine was putting down the street. I replaced my battery 3.5 years ago, I have brand new spark plug wires and my spark plugs were replaced within the past 6 months. I also don't have a distributor cap on this model. Anyone have an idea what could be the problem?

Thanks!

[ghettosled]

welcome to the forum!

did you have this problem before the new plugs and wires? did it start once this stuff was replaced. it does sound electrical. im wondering if one of the plug wires is loose, loose or cracked spark plug or if this could be a leak in a vacuum hose. but the leak shouldnt be only effected when there is moisture in the air from rain.

[rachmul18]

I've had the problem since I inherited the car in 2006. The problem just recently sprang up again (due to April showers). My grandpa is my mechanic (oil changes and other minor issues) and he installed the spark plugs/wires and he checked it on the day it happened and didn't get a shock from the wires. He said he's going to install new spark plugs since they're cheap but if that doesn't work - I should probably bring it to my regular mechanic.

Thanks!

[BamZipPow]

What spark plugs did he put in? Is the check engine light on? Did you pull any codes from the ECU?

[rusty9]

try the old wd40 trick. when its not starting when damp, spray the spark wires with wd40. this will drive the moisture from any cracks. its not the plugs themselves since they are sealed in the heads.

does it still have a distributor? moisture buildup in there will cause the same problems.

[fenixus]

gen4 5s-fe is a distributor-less design.
what are the spark plugs and wires brand/model ?
make sure you have a clean air filter.

if wires are OK, i would take a closer look at ignition coils (igniters) that wires are connected to, maybe something wrong there since it behaved same with old & new wires in.

[Barcs]

I had this same problem with my 93 camry v6. I replaced the ignition coil and it no longer fails in the rain. Pretty easy job too. I also sprayed silicon spray on the spark wires, since I have an aftermarket hood, which lets more rain in than the old one did.