Q: In mornings when cold and mostly after a rain car will miss very bad and then clear up

asked by on November 29, 2016

when I take off and accelerate the car will miss and shake. has new injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, and catalytic converter. This happens when cold and especially after a rain. Warning lights have only appeared a couple of times and usually don't, but the problem from the lights has always been taken care of by a mechanic.

My car has 192000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Anytime you are getting a misfire when it is damp and cold the ignition system is going to be the cause most likely. The most common cause will be the ignition spark plug wires arching to ground until the moisture is dried off and the engine warms. I would recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come and check the plug wires and other ignition components for arching problems.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Stalling way too much when driving
The engine stalling can be one of the most terrifying things a car can do. We are used to it accelerating when prompted, but when it fails to follow directions, your heart rate can double instantly. The intermittent nature of...
Power window coming off track.
Hello, to see why the window is coming off track, the door panel and water barrier will have to be removed and view the operation of the window to see the cause. You may need the aid of a mechanic,...
Cockpit lights and blinker not working
You likely have an electrical issue (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electric-problems-inspection) which may or may not be related to the fuel smell. Please do not drive this vehicle with both issues you have described. Have your vehicle inspected for the smell (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/smell-in-the-car-inspection) immediately. A...
Changed battery and the alarm keeps going off and the car won't start now.
The computer had to reset after sitting a few hours and alarm reset. The vehicle thought it was being stolen and did what it was supposed to do. You should have locked all the doors with remote or key and...
Won't start
You need to look on the dash to see if your theft light is active. The system will let you crank it a few times until it locks out the crank signal. You may need to try another key if...
How much for a water pump and belt and other small parts installed on a 2002 mercury sable
Billing question was sent to CS for the cost of parts and labor to replace the water pump, drive belt, and associated parts on a 2002 Mercury Sable with a V6-3.0L engine.
Check engine light on
The most common causes of Diagnostic trouble code P0430 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton) setting are a faulty catalytic converter, engine misfire, fuel injector leakage, engine mechanical damage, faulty oxygen sensor outputs and exhaust leaks. Additionally, in your circumstance, malfunctions in the charge air...
When I put my car in gear it doesn't move it Just idles up but wont move is it my clutch or transmission thats out? Standard shift
You want to make sure that the gear linkage is actually connected and functioning. Perhaps it is not really in gear but rather is stuck in neutral. If the linkage is functioning, the next thing to evaluate would be the...
Car wont start eps light is on help!!!
Hi Don. Thanks for sending the question tonight. The EPS light is a warning light that indicates a problem with the electronic power steering system on your Hyundai Elantra. In most cases, it does not impact the vehicle's ability to...

Related articles

The Check Engine Light Demystified
Your car Check Engine Light can mean many things. The Check Engine Light comes on when there's an electrical or mechanical problem with your car.
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Points & Condenser
If your vehicle runs rough, the engine will not fire, or the vehicle will not start at all, the points and condenser system may be failing.
How to Remove, Install, and Adjust Ignition Timing
Ignition distributors help spark the gas and air in the engine. Worn distributors need to be removed to be cleaned to maintain proper ignition timing.