Whenever it rains here and i let my car sit out in the rain, it will not start for about 12 hours until everything is dried up again. It's been happening ever since I got my new maxima last year. Same thing with snow, when the snow here melts, the car doesnt start. It cranks fine as long as you hold the key, it just wont fire up.

I did a few tests today (it rained last night, the car wont start) and I found I am getting a decent spark from the plugs. I also noticed I can't hear my fuel pump pressure up when you first turn the key (not cranking, just turning the key so the fan and radio comes on). I was told it is probably the fuel pump relay. Fine, but the fuel pump relay is in the trunk, I cant see moisture getting in there too easily and temporarly disabling the relay every time it rains. I'm convinced its something the in the engine bay or underneith the car.

Also, if you drive the car in rain or within an hour or 2 of when it starts raining, the car starts and drives perfectly. The problems only come when you leave it for a bit. I also remember washing my engine bay one time and the car doing the same thing afterwards.

 

that has nothing to do with your fuel pump. this is a common problem whenever there is a loosen hoses, esp if they're related to vaccum, or serving air/fuel mixture. check your lines. for instance, your problem is exactly what happened to my mother's Toyota last year. When I popped up the hood I found out the mech forgot to tightened the air pipe the goes between the throttle body and the air filter. Tighted it got the engine fired up and running immediately!

 

Distributor cap? I've read a bunch of stuff on it being rainy/wet/damp that gets moisture in it and won't start, Someone said taking it off and blowdrying it then try starting it...It probably will start after being driven before rain because the cap is warmed up and not so easily moistened

 

yeah check the cap too. get fine grained sand paper and gentle rub the metal contact area that gets electrical currents from the rotor as it spins during the firing order. However, a new cap isn't that expensive. if this is the case then you might wanna consider it as a little investment.

 

I had the same problem. My distributor cap was cracked in some areas and when I changed it I never had that problem again. Try changing the cap.

 

Make sure all the usual CEL, etc. light up when you get ready to crank. I bet it's the distributor cap and rotor-my 94 gxe was having trouble starting this spring due to rain. Other ideas are to make sure the relays under the hood are ok-google nissan groups reported the eng cont relay causing lack of start in the rain. also see if it will start in n or park, or try pushing forward on the shifter lever. I had a trunk leak this spring also-so water leaking into the maxima is possible imho-look under the trunk carpet or rear seat just to make sure. check other under the hood fuel relays like egi. But, I bet it's the cap and rotor.

 

Hi, i am just wondering if you ever figured out the problem on your maxima? i have a '89 maxima and and having similar problems. i've replaced several things already including the fuel pump with no luck. i'm thinking about changing the fuel pump relay. let me know, thanks!

 

Did you replace/check the dist cap like everyone said? Think about it. Why would the car run while it's dry vs wet if it's a fuel pump?