Check Engine Light and Water

justin.AZ · Jul 15, 2009, 08:13 PM

Hello,

Today I decided to wash my lancers engine so got the water hose and washed it with water. While doing it when water hit the area of the serpentine belt the engine shut off but restarted. I'm not sure if thats normal or not.

Anyway once done washing the check engine light was on. I drove the car about 5 miles and it drove fine but the light didn't turn off.

Does anyone know what could cause this and what could be done to fix problem.

Justin

justin.AZ · Jul 15, 2009, 11:37 PM

Update.

I went and read all the old post, not sure if problem is fixed but its fixed for now, just thought Id update the question in hopes of helping next person.

I didn't find any tool to unhook the power from battery with so I opened the fuse box under the hood and pulled , i think, the 8 fuse (whichever it was had a engine picture, anyway after doing that and replugging it the CEL went off.

Not sure if it'll stay off or not but after doing that I drove around 15 miles and it didn't come back on.

Justin

03lances · Jul 16, 2009, 01:10 AM

Ok you dont want to wash your engine when its running!!!!! second you want to be really careful around your electronics your lucky you didnt fry something. I will bet you hit something with water dealing with your ignition and shut the car off so the computer stored a code. Once you unhooked power from the computer it cleared the code and wont come back on at least for that reason unless you do it again!!!

justin.AZ · Jul 16, 2009, 01:32 AM

Hello O3,

I have no clue what I hit with the water but whatever it the water hit was located over on the passenger side near the serpentine belt because when water hit that area engine would turn off a few seconds and then restart.

Am glad you told me about the danger of washing with engine running as I thought it OK as saw a youtube video saying it made it easier, They where using steam in the video though. I tried using steam but found that mean green and water did better and the engine looks quite clean now. May try again the steam on some small areas though.

Damn I'm glad I didn't fry anything though. Also am glad I found the post about the 8 (engine) fuse in front also as saved myself a 30minute each way trip to autozone.

Justin

03lances · Jul 16, 2009, 02:17 AM

No prob man.. As long as your careful spraying your engine is usually pretty safe but stay away from the electronics!!! lol

imalancerman · Jul 16, 2009, 09:29 PM

Lol, your a brave man to do that while running. You could have filled that alternator with water if your not careful. I would unplug the battery from the car if your planning on getting any water, steam or not, in the engine bay like that. Not while cleaning the outside obviously, but if your planning on cleaning your motor, like 03 said, you really dont want any electronics getting wet. You need to cover them up or just find some way to keep water out of them.

justin.AZ · Jul 17, 2009, 06:22 PM

Lancerman,

There's a fine line between brave and foolish and I think I might of crossed it on that one LOL. Anyway, Is last time I take any engine cleaning lessons from a YouTube video thats for sure, just glad I didn't screw nothing up.

Justin

imalancerman · Jul 17, 2009, 11:26 PM

Well youtube is actually a great place to find out information for alot of things, you've got to know how and what to look for. I figured out things like what my engine knock was (bearings) by watching videos, how to seafoam my car, etc. But alot of this stuff is just common sense. Its all good man, you live and learn. I hooked my battery up backwards back in my tempo days when I knew squat about cars and didnt know one post was positive and the other negative and fried my alternator. Lol. OMG I put that car through hell. But I learned alot on it. You've just got to distinguish what your fine line is between brave and foolish. You'll learn all in good time. Your more than welcome to ask any of us for help. 03lances and senate are two very good people to ask for help that will not flame you cause we have all been there in the learning process and know that help, and good help at that, is hard to come by.

03lances · Jul 18, 2009, 01:13 AM

Thanks imalancerman, and +1 for help anytime anyone needs help I am more than willing to hep. (hmmm little too many "help" in there or it is just me lol) Good luck Justin