Car won't start after car wash

[EMJ]

My 88 3.2 Carrera won't start after going through the car wash. The car needs to sit for 10 minutes then comes to life after backfiring for about 2 minutes when I'm trying to start it up. When it does start, it rumbles and hesitates for a few minutes when the throttle is depressed until the moisture, wherever it is, burns off. Then its back to it's normal, high revving, fast self in about 5 minutes of driving time.

Here's what I've done, thanks to the help of some of our Pelican friends:

-Changed the dis cap and rotor
-Installed new plug wires
-Ensured the new dis cap is securely installed

I have Ultra Grey silicone to put around the mating section of the dis cap to prevent water entering, but I haven't done it yet. Close inspection of the dis cap, however, when the issue occurs, doesn't show any sign of water getting in there. The plug wire boots are dry as well when I remove them from the spark plug and inspect them.

This issue occurred occasionally, but now it happens every time. What beyond moisture in the dis cap can be causing this problem? Thanks!

[Joe Bob]

Ummm, consider a hand wash????

[warner53]

+1 lol

[EMJ]

Ha! Not when it's in the 20's outside!

[EMJ]

If it isn't snowing, she's on the road! My daily driver for 6 years with over 180k on the clock. Gratuitous picture below - note the snow in the background.



Problem also occurs when she's sitting outside during a hard rainfall, so moisture is getting in somewhere.

[warner53]

Nice ride.

I would check all your connections under the deck grill around your mass flow meter.

You could always use warm water. LOL

W

[vash]

nice car!

the interior staying dry? under the seat?

[bfunke]

Also check the distributor cap. If you have moisture inside the cap spray it with some WD40 and wipe dry.

[shinrai]

I have the same car. I had the same problem. Silicone spray on the cap and wires solved it. Repeat when necessary

[rusnak]

A sensor wire or something can be shorting.

[dshepp806]

something is shorting,..compliments of water pathing.......look for it.....



stop "going through" car washes......she needs a "hand-job" or LIGHT wand work.

Best,

Doyle

[efhughes3]

I'd bet you have a spark plug wire issue. I went thru 2 sets that caused havoc for me, with the exact symptoms you mention, and finally got a set not affected by water. They happen to be Magnecors.

[EMJ]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I went through the car and checked under the seat for water in the DME and DME relay area and it was very dry. Checked the dis cap again and it was very secured.

Question: the silicone spray suggested sprayed on the dis cap and plug wires should be sprayed on the wire boots connecting to the dis cap? Not sure, so I figured I'd confirm.

Also, for clarification, the car needed a tune-up with the dis cap/rotor, and plug wires last summer. It did help with the start problem after the car wash back then, but now it's a problem again.

Incidentally, when the car is sprayed by hand, this problem doesn't occur.

[Hugh R]

Not silicone spray, WD-40.. WD=Water Dispersant

[m110]

even if the d cap is secure, I would still take it off and clean underneath. try to start it then, then check the coil wire and connections....I have had this happen in a downpour......in fact my friend had it happen in a downpour, left the car in Bel Air CA and walked home. Next morning it was gone, called Lojack, located the entirely stripped chassis 24 h later in a field in Culver city. 88 Targa....late 90s when it happened.

If that doesn't work just take a hairdryer to the ever electrical connection in the back and check the battery connections and grounds.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by m110

even if the d cap is secure, I would still take it off and clean underneath. try to start it then, then check the coil wire and connections....I have had this happen in a downpour......in fact my friend had it happen in a downpour, left the car in Bel Air CA and walked home. Next morning it was gone, called Lojack, located the entirely stripped chassis 24 h later in a field in Culver city. 88 Targa....late 90s when it happened.

If that doesn't work just take a hairdryer to the ever electrical connection in the back and check the battery connections and grounds.

Geez, even just wiping the cap out with a rag would've gotten him home. Who walks home in the rain??

[Joe Bob]

Yeah a real Porsche douche nozzle woulda called a cab and had the recalcitrant POS towed to the boutique mechanic that writes estimates with white gloves....

Of course I woulda done that the FIRST time it wouldn;t start after an auto car wash.....

I'd post a pic of my bare ass butt, but that got me banned...

[dicklague]

My car has never been in a car wash. Just not a good idea with that year P car. I drive mine every day too.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Yeah a real Porsche douche nozzle woulda called a cab and had the recalcitrant POS towed to the boutique mechanic that writes estimates with white gloves....

Of course I woulda done that the FIRST time it wouldn;t start after an auto car wash.....

I'd post a pic of my bare ass butt, but that got me banned...

That's called ASCI artwork. (_|_)

I have to teach you kids everything?

[EMJ]

Not so concerned about washing the car in the car wash as I am concerned about diagnosing the problem so that the behavior stops. I know the problem can and will be fixed as it's a common issue with this type of car. I put 60-plus miles on the car daily in rain or shine all year round on the east coast. Can't pull out a hose in 15-degree weather and hand wash. Car goes in the car wash in the winter bi-weekly and looks great. Just trying to get her to start up quickly without having to wait the 10 minutes after it comes out.

Thanks for the great suggestions and advice. I'm spraying the wd40 on the dis cap and wires and will spray it down in front of my house to see if the behavior occurs.