1989 st162 problem, any information appreciated!

[jacktaylor89]

When the weather is humid and damp my st162 has a habit of baulking at low revs (around 1-2 thousand). It only really appears to happen when it is wet, and first happened after I left the car parked in rain for two weeks and didn't drive it. Sometimes it won't immediately start either, and I have to turn the key for the better part of twenty seconds for the engine to fire up. I've changed spark plugs, distributor cap, air filter and the battery level is around the full mark when the engine is up and running. I think it's an electrical problem of some description (due to the fact that it does it mainly during rainy or very cold days), though I could be wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as it would save me time and money whacking new parts on it doesn't really need, Jack.

P.S. It's a 3sfe engine if that helps any.

[qkslvr]

what exactly did you check for in your distributor cap. did you check to make sure the contacts in the cap and also the contacts on the rotor are not corroded? Does your ignition leads have cracks in the rubber? and does the rubber looks old / hardended?

As i recall, you can't buy just the ignition leads for the 3S-FE, you have to purchase the leads with the cap (which will cost you about $90 all together). the damp humid weather may be causing the leads to "Leak" ignition energy into the air and causing a weak spark. I'm not sure how to confirm this. Maybe someone here might know how to check this.