Vibe won't start after touch-free car wash????!!!

[jtodd]

Washed my car Fri.nite and the damn touchfree wash mechanism stopped in front of the car. I had to back out, and pull into a spray bay to rinse off the soap that was on when the machine gave up the ghost. When I went to restart, shaking, but no fire! Had the car towed to the dealership, no service on Sat., went out Sat. evening, and car had dried out and started. Check engine Light was on(steady, not flashing) and idle was high(2k), but idle eventually returned to normal, and check light went out. Is everything ok, and has anyone else had this happen. Sorry for the long post

[Stang2Vibe]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but I'm glad that it seems everything has worked out. I've never had that happen before and I pressure wash my engine myself periodically. Some water must have gotten into an electronic component under the hood and wouldn't let the car start.Did your dealer check the car out for you anyway to verify that everything was ok? If not, you still might want to have that done to be sure. I hope your Vibe made a full recovery!

[joatmon]

I don't remember anyone having that problem before. Even though the check engine light went out, there might still be a code in the computer that could be read for free at an autoparts store that offers that service. Would be interesting to hear what the computer thought the problem was. Hope it's all fine now.Pretty cool that you got a stang reply, unfortunately those are too few and far betweeen lately.

[jtodd]

Thanks for the concern Everything seems to be fine, gas mileage is the same, idle is normal. I haven't had a chance to take it to the dealer, though.Jeff

[jtodd]

Btw- do you leave yuor car running when you pressure wash it? That time was the 1st time I've washed or sprayed the car when it was off.

[Stang2Vibe]

I've always had the car off. I strongly (repeat: STRONGLY) recommend that if you wash the engine or engine compartment that you do it when the engine is COLD. Many soaps, degreasers, and even the water itself can leave very hard to remove marks and residue behind if they are quickly evaporated off and baked onto hot engine parts (particularly aluminum). Same thing goes for wheels--make sure they are cool to the touch to prevent ugly spots and marks.And you probably shouldn't be spraying water into a running alternator. I've been through this one before here too---I suggest that people cover the alternator with a plastic shopping bag. I put the bag over the alternator and tie the handles of the bag around it to secure it. It doesn't have to be completely watertight, just prevent most of the water from shooting directly into it. You can't really tie off the bag perfectly anyway because the belt is in the way and it would be nonsense to go through all the trouble of removing the belt just to wash the engine compartment.If it was my car, I'd definately have the dealer check it out to read the code at the very least. If the car is still under warranty, it shouldn't cost you anything and might prevent major problems later. You wouldn't want to be on an out-of-town trip in your Vibe 2 years down the road and have some related electronic part fail on the highway that could cost hundreds of $ to replace after the car is out of warranty when you could have it all checked out now for free.

[satur9]

my car did this at the ohio meet yesterday. my car was running and stalled out. i think the water got on my typhoon. and choked out the air.i think the car flooded itself. cause the smell of gas was in the intake and exhaust. we finally got it started and the engine light was on it was the maf sensor. which probably got some oil and water on it. the filter was dripping with oil water mixture. i let the filter dry and cleaned the maf sensor. the car drove better on the way home. it seems okay now.i dont know if youn have an intake.but since those things spray right at the grill and my snorkel thing is still in its worth a check.

[jtodd]

No- I don't have a CAI, but thanks nonetheless!

[jtodd]

It happened again. This time I had the car towed to the dealership and will find out why it happened.

[Stang2Vibe]

You'll have to let us know what the diagnosis is.

[MRCN RCE]

so what was the verdict?? i'm curious