Shop Ram Spark Plug Wires

Same problem. have 1999 dodge ram 1500. Only had problem a couple of times a year where I lived before - after rainy days. Now that I have moved to the coast - having same problem as you. I just tried to go to work and couldn't get the truck to start - only had a little misty rain today. Has to dry out for a couple of hours IF the sun comes out. Somebody suggested spraying the distributor with something that would get the moisture out - but can't remember what it was - any easy fixes besides buying something else?

The spray suggested was WD-40. The WD stands for water displacing. If you have condensation in the distributor cap, most likely you have a bad cap. Shouldn't be any water in there. Also check your spark plug wires. When they age the boots don't seal as well for moisture and can cause this problem. Typically giving it a full tune-up is the fix, and if this is still running the factory cap, rotor, wires and plugs its time to do them anyway.

I have a 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 1/2 ton conversion van. During or after a rain, it sputters and loses power (especially when going up a hill....when more power is needed). During these episodes, it will jerk and drop it's speed to a crawl.

My husband changed the distributor cap, spark plugs and wires and this didn't change it. A friend of ours spray painted some wires (near the upper right section when looking at the opened hood). He said it would seal the wires. I'm not sure what these wires are going to.

It seems a bit better now. At least the loss of power doesn't last as long...it will pick back up like normal after driven for a mile or so. I haven't attempted to drive it in the rain though, so I'm just referring to after a rain that it is better.

Our mechanic doesn't have a clue about what it could be. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!
Barb
bdcarr@ktis.net

this is usually a symptom of your spark plug wires arcing. try to find out what wires your friend spray painted? spray painting obviously is not the proper repair. paint is not a good insulator for electricity

if he felt the wires had to be sealed he must have seen some chauffing of the wire insulations exposing the wire and that also is arcing.

Thanks for your reply...but let me ask a follow-up.

To get to the spark plugs you have to take the doghouse off (inside the van). They can't be seen from outside, looking under the hood. So, I know this is not what the friend spray painted. I have my husband hunt him down (he was only here briefly, out of town) and ask what these wires go to.

Could the new spark plug wires my husband but in have been done incorrectly? I thought it was a pretty straightforward thing. I just hate for him to go to the immense hassle of getting that doghouse off again if there is another source of the problem. Once off, those plugs and wires weren't easy to get to.

Thanks!
Barb

I purchased this Ford Aspire used from 'some guy'. He claimed he fixed the radiator but there is a crack in the radiator, right next to the opening where you pour the coolant. Having never bought a used car before, I didn't think to check and see if he really fixed the radiator, which he apparently didn't.

The car overheats after about 3-4 miles. There is a knocking noise when trying to accelerate. When I first start the car, it shuts off, check engine light, fluid lights come on. I have to start it 2 or 3 times, pushing the accelerator gently before I can get it to drive. Can a sealant like JB Weld hold a crack in the radiator and for how long? I just put duct tape on it. Will that get me to a repair shop?

What could be the knocking noise I hear?

Please help! I am sooo frustrated!

A friend's husband looked at my car this weekend and found that the spark plug wires were not attached. Why Precision Tune didn't notice that I don't know! My friend told me to just keep putting water in the radiator and check the oil daily b/c there are oil leaks. As he was working on the car, one of the fans began to work but the other is still broken. He suggests it may be a fuse. With the spark plug wires attached and me putting water in every morning has helped a lot and it's driving right now but I am still not real comfortable driving it b/c I fear it could overheat or worse at anytime, or that I'm doing more harm by driving it.

Still, it stalls, it has a hard time starting up (I have to try 3-4 times) and if I'm driving under 25 mph, or idling at a stop light, it will just cut off. It won't shift into another gear when going up a steep hill. My main concern is the shutting off...I'm afraid someone will ram into me at a stop light. Any idea of what that could be? It only happens when I'm going under 25mph. When I'm above 35 she drives fine. I had the battery and the alternator checked and they are both fine. Any advice?

Thanks!