I just gave my car a car wash and before the wash car was starting and running just fine. I start it up after the wash and its sputtering!?!?! I know i was using high flow hose, but did I do some damage? Check engine light IS ON NOW ... what should I DO?!?!


help :

 

I doubt it has to do with the car wash unless you got water inside the air filter or possibly exhaust system. I wash my car weekly with a high flow hose and never encounter this problem. May be you should wait until it dries out and see if the CEL goes away.

 

I think my rpi scoop might have led water to my intake box.plus the car was kind of parked up hill...so .. I did open the intake box and there is a tiny amount of water in the box, at the bottom left corner.

 

if water got into the intake box, it will cause some weird reading with the maf sensor. Just wait for it to dry and restart the car to see if it still sputtering and the CEL goes away. If the car is fine but the CEL is still there, you will have to clear the code. Normally I would have just disconnect the battery but some people prefer to have it cleared the professional way.

 

tried starting the car after drying the intake box...same rough idle. .. What kind of code reader do i need, so i can get some more info on the check engine light

 

possible coil damage from the water but I doubt it. You can call around to Autozone or Kragen to see if they still read the error code for you. Around here in Tracy, those stores don't do it anymore.

You can also try cleaning the MAF sensor. Just sear the forum for maf sensor cleaning procedure. Basically it's removing the air fitler to get to the maf sensor and use the maf sensor cleaner from autozone to spray it.

GL

 

You can take it to Autozone or advance Auto and they can read the code for you. I recommed using a compressor and blowing out all components of the intake system. TB cleaner or MAF cleaner will also help dry out the water a little quicker.

 

ok i calmed down and used my brain, i do actually have an OBD II reader. Got the following codes

P0597 - Thermostat heater control circuit open.
P0305 - Cylinder 5 Misfire


Do you think the water might have cause the heater sensor to go south?
could dirty MAF cause the Misfire?


do you think coilpacks can go bad so soon, car only has under 42K miles.

 

Ooo one other thing...I recently replaced my air filter with k&n, do you think that can cause this?? I know k&n filters have oil ... could this damage the maf? ?

Too bad I threw my OEM one.

 

sorry to hear that...

I doubt the open circuit on thermostat heater control would have caused by the water entering the intake but it definitely could be the cause of the misfire once it gets mixed up with the oil from the K&N. Since you don't have any air filter replacement right now, may be you should remove it and let it air out, definitely clean the MAF sensor though to see if it still sputters.