Cars.com

I have a 1983 Oldsmobile 98 in good condition. But after it sits in a large downpour, it stalls suddenly in traffic. Now I don't drive it after a rainstorm. Do you know what my problem may be? Thank you. -- Mary

Ray: Did Oldsmobile sell the limited edition "Lawrence of Arabia" package in '83? You might have one of those.

Tom: Actually, Mary, it's almost certainly some component in the secondary ignition system.

Ray: The first thing I'd try is new spark-plug wires. If they've never been changed on this car, they're the prime suspect. When wires get old, they, in effect, "leak" electricity. Moisture in the atmosphere, because it's conductive, makes them "leak" even more. So if they're marginal to begin with, when they get wet, they may not be getting enough electricity to the spark plugs to keep the engine firing.

Tom: If it's not the wires, it could be a bad rotor, a cracked distributor cap, or even a bad coil. Any one of those things could be affected by moisture in the same way.

Ray: Don't despair, Mary. This problem won't be that hard to find. And even if it is, the Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a dry year ahead.

Everybody wants a new car. But from a purely financial point of view, there is no question that buying a used car is always cheaper, even in the long run. To learn more, order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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