Washed engine and now it won't start!

[config]

I've done it several times before and never had any problems but yesterday was different. I had replaced the plugs, wires and the o2 sensor so I decided to finish everything up by giving the engine a wash. I never ever covered anything up before so I was finishing rinsing it down with the engine running and then it died. Tried starting up again with no luck. Waited until the morning to allow everything to dry but still no start! I didn't have time to mess with it today so I had it towed to a nearby shop. Any ideas what I messed up? Didn't look like I had any spark.

 

[410Fortune]

some parts of the engine dont like to get wet and NEVER get it soaked.
You have to be careful!

Could be many things, could be you killed the alternator, could be standing water on the battery, or water it the cables, could be water in the electrical connections.
Does it crank? or just not fire?

 

[config]

some parts of the engine dont like to get wet and NEVER get it soaked.
You have to be careful!

Could be many things, could be you killed the alternator, could be standing water on the battery, or water it the cables, could be water in the electrical connections.
Does it crank? or just not fire?

It does crank but doesn't start.

 

[410Fortune]

water in electrical would be my guess
overnight may not be enough time to get rid of puddles

comrepssed air is a good idea, in the fuse box, etc.
I can wash my 88 BII engine bay all day long, no problems, my 96 is real picky, gives me an ABS light sometimes, runs funny for a minute.
I usually blow dry the engine, any standing water, and I dont try to start it for hours with the ood up on a hot day.

regardless I bet the shop will tell you they fixed it and charge you the base shop rate

 

[config]

The shop got it to start. Looks like I soaked the computer. Wife drove it home, parked it then the CEL went on. I got a bunch of codes. I may have to dry it out more.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Whenever I clean any engine bays, I always go light on the water and let it stand for atleast a few hours. I then getcompressed air and blow it as dry as possible. I cover up alternator and coil packs.

-Drew

 

[config]

water in electrical would be my guess
overnight may not be enough time to get rid of puddles

comrepssed air is a good idea, in the fuse box, etc.
I can wash my 88 BII engine bay all day long, no problems, my 96 is real picky, gives me an ABS light sometimes, runs funny for a minute.
I usually blow dry the engine, any standing water, and I dont try to start it for hours with the ood up on a hot day.

regardless I bet the shop will tell you they fixed it and charge you the base shop rate

You were absolutely right! They charged me $83.00 for blowing out the water in the ECU. I need to be more careful the next time. That was one expensive engine wash!

 

[lentomannen]

Where are the ECU located? And where is the o2 sensor located. Just for knowing where water is a bad idea. Regards Lennart

 

[Abom]

Letting it dry out is ALWAYS a good idea. I soak the crap out my engine, but I always let it dry out and never had an issue so far.

 

[timleedude]

If your electricals get soaked with water.. then best thing is to disconnect the battery.. then use an air compressor to remove as much water as possible.. then put a high output house fan like a big Vornado blowing into the engine compartment overnight.. That would get most things dry..

-Tim

 

[snocross1985]

I like to use my leaf blower to get rid of the water after cleaning the engine bay. Works excellent.

 

[config]

Where are the ECU located? And where is the o2 sensor located. Just for knowing where water is a bad idea. Regards Lennart

The ECU (for the 96 at least) is locate at the firewall (between the engine and the driver/passenger compartments) passenger side. You'll see all the wires going into it.
The o2 sensors are at the bottom of the engine. Mine has 2 before the catylytic converter and 1 after.