Long Crank After Rain

[andyrooski17]

Drove home dry yesterday, then it rained somewhat heavily overnight, and temps dropped from mid-70's to low 60's overnight. It was not raining this morning, but the car still had water sitting on it from the rain overnight.

I got in the car and turned the key and it proceeded to crank several times (maybe 7-8) before finally firing up. Usually the car takes barely 1 crank to start up, so this was very notable.

I didn't notice any unusual lights on the dashboard, nor have I scanned for codes. After starting the car ran totally normally.

It seems to me related to the rain, although I haven't really had this problem in wet weather before. Maybe I had a couple harder than normal starts in cold/moist conditions, but nothing this bad.

Could there be a simple electrical connection (ECU perhaps?) that is loose and got moisture in it?

I've read some things about the MkVI and intercooler issues, but a quick web search didn't really turn up many ideas about my problem. Has anyone else experienced this, or found a way to avoid it?

Thanks!

 

[Wheats]

I am also getting the long crank on rainy days. Dealership has checked it out twice with no codes and can not duplicate.

 

[Shife]

I've had two extended cranks over the past year of ownership. I do not recall the weather. I do remember it being chilly, but not super cold once and the other time was once last summer.

 

[J.R.]

My Suzuki SX4 also does this ~ a few times a year.

 

[MattDeZ]

Same issue here, but for me it's not weather related. I've had 3 "extended-cranks" in the last 10 months but all of them were on cool sunny days.

 

[Random_Vibration]

I had one extended crank in 20,000 miles and I suspect it is result of the lift pump function in the fuel tank or the HPFP. I think it's the lift pump because I had similar issues with a TSI engine I used to own. It was spurious and the dealer could not find a problem.

 

[andyrooski17]

Thanks for the input all. It hasn't happened since, even after rain. I still think it had something to do with moist air and then a cool-down, prompting condensation...somewhere. Not a comforting gremlin, but not a particularly bad one either.