Washed Engine Bay - Warning Lights

**Tonik** · 06-14-2006, 07:33 PM

So, I decided ol' girl needed a washing under the hood and went at it. Used grease lightning on the tough parts and light spray water on everything else. I have an open air intake (K&N FIPK) so I covered that with a plastic bag and didnt take water anywhere near it.

LOOKS AWESOME!
STARTS UP! WOO!

Drive down the street and warning lights come up... *sigh*

Brake
ABS INOP
Air Bag
ASR Off
They all come on and my battery voltage meter jumps up to 18 for about 10-15 seconds then everything goes back to normal.

Any suggestions?

**04goatinmass** · 06-14-2006, 08:34 PM

first of all did you let it dry before you took it for a run.hell i did mine and it sat for 6 hours before i drove it

**Tonik** · 06-14-2006, 09:57 PM

shit.

I turned it on after I cleaned it. Yah now I feel like a retard.

**Roastem** · 06-15-2006, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tonik

shit.

I turned it on after I cleaned it. Yah now I feel like a retard.

Everytime I wash my car, I spray the engine compartment lightly with water, then I mist Bleche-white on it, let it sit for a minute, then rinse it off. I usually start it right up and take it down the road to knock the water off.

I have never had any problems.

You gotta love that LS1, you could dip that motor in battery acid and it will still run like a champ.

**MadSeason** · 06-15-2006, 05:22 AM

let it dry out and hope for the best

**Tonik** · 06-15-2006, 07:05 AM

*yawn*
Just woke up, I'm gonna drive her around a little bit today and see if I still get the lights... hopefully there was just water somewhere that evaporated overnight.

**Roastem** · 06-15-2006, 07:08 AM

Keep us posted, I was wondering the first time I sprayed that engine (with water) if I was going to f*ck something up.

When my ride starts pissing me off, I drive the hell out of it, and it usually works itself out. Works with the gf too, a good beat-down with the ole sausage usually gets her to acting right.

**m6speed** · 06-15-2006, 10:06 AM

i always simple green my engine bay and spray it down with a hose(not lightly either) then i start it up while it is still wet, have never had a problem with mine or the others i have cleaned as well.

**MadSeason** · 06-15-2006, 10:14 AM

simple green is very bad for aluminum and electrical connectors, esp the alternator

**m6speed** · 06-15-2006, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by MadSeason

simple green is very bad for aluminum and electrical connectors, esp the alternator

and it is washed off after sprayed on, no problems here.

**MadSeason** · 06-15-2006, 10:53 AM

you never know what crevace it's going to stay in and cause problems. our blocks are alum, i wouldnt even chance it. just like people using dawn to wash their car before putting on zaino. it harms the clear coat by taking some of it off and can dull it

**m6speed** · 06-15-2006, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by MadSeason

you never know what crevace it's going to stay in and cause problems. our blocks are alum, i wouldnt even chance it. just like people using dawn to wash their car before putting on zaino. it harms the clear coat by taking some of it off and can dull it

i guess if my engine ever blows up because of degredation i'll be forced to go buy something bigger....

**Tonik** · 06-15-2006, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by m6speed

i guess if my engine ever blows up because of degredation i'll be forced to go buy something bigger....

LOL

Everything is good, i suspect there was just some water left were it shouldn't have been, evaporated and everything is as normal.

**m6speed** · 06-16-2006, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by Tonik

LOL

Everything is good, i suspect there was just some water left were it shouldn't have been, evaporated and everything is as normal.

glad to hear it's running good again!

**third_shift|studios** · 06-16-2006, 05:55 AM

I'm not big on putting water on an engine...jsut doesn't sound safe. If you really want it factory-clean, have it steam cleaned by pros. If you're just touching it up, get some black magic and just shine up the visibal areas.

I let someone spray my car and it shorted the line connecting my amp and battery. Thankfully that was my only problem. won't ever EVER put water near my engine agian.

**twozs** · 06-16-2006, 02:49 PM

ive washed my motor about 5 times with no problem. make sure the key is in the off position. no listining to the raido, no motor running. and try not to sauturate the thing. use a good ENGINE degreaser that is made for the job.again not a lot! follow instructions and rince make sure its not to hot , hot engine + cold water = cracked exaust manifold or worse and deffinitly stay away from large wire conectors and the boxes that they go into like small computer things