944S2 won't turn over after washing car - coincidence?

[ntrylvl]

Last week, I turned the key in the ignition of my S2, and there was about a three second delay before the engine turned over and started. The next time I tried to start the car, I turned the key and the engine wouldn't even turn over. All of the lights and gauges on the dash came on as normal (far as I can tell), but nothing else. I tried again the next day - still no luck. The following day, I tried for about ten minutes to start the car, with the same problem: turn the key in the ignition = nothing. Finally, after about 15 minutes, it turned over and started up immediately. I drove my car to the mechanic, who kept it for two days and could not duplicate the problem. It has started every time since...until today.

I washed my car this afternoon, and then moved it to the street to make way for my wife's car in the driveway. When I went to start the S2 and pull it back into the driveway, it repeated the "delayed ignition" problem, although it did turn over and start after about two seconds of no response. As this happened, I realized that the problems I had last week were also right after washing the car. Is this coincidence?

Could my problem be related to the battery or other components possibly getting wet? The car has sat through rain shower after rain shower with no issues in the past. Washing = no issues either. Why now?

What do I check first? I don't want an intermittent electrical problem to ruin my fun!

(please do not refer me to previous posts about ignition problems - i have researched these boards thoroughly, but I am still looking for more information/opinions)

Thanks!

[TheCooler]

Starter solenoid ...when it doesnt start and you turn the key do you hear a click from under the car? If you dont hear it click its the solenoid.

[ntrylvl]

I do hear a click. but that's it.

[ntrylvl]

....and if I hold the key in the start position long enough, it may eventually "take" and start up.

[SoCal Driver]

Large cable from the battery to the starter. Corroded at the battery and at the starter.

[Chris_924s]

simple as well...
You may have water in the distributor causing a no-start situation. WD 40 will dry it out- but let it completely dry- a ignition spark can cause a fire...

just clicks- not enough battery. I concur- battery/ chassis grounds as well. Replace 'em all.

[TheCooler]

The starter would spin...Check all the wires. Its nothing to do with the cap and rotor. If the starter doesnt spin it can onyl be a couple things and you already crossed them out by saying the solenoid clicks. It could be your starter brush wires ...or the wires from the battery to the starter/starter to alt or it could be the ground. Check the wires and the grounds first.

[Roger Hall]

I belive that your DME is on the passengers side. If the battery tray is leaking then it might be geting wet. However I think the engine would still turn over it just wouldn't fire up.

[carsontc]

if this is an 'entry level' test...Hugh passes !

[lousailor]

My bet is the battery terminals. I was having the same prob, and had to pop the clutc to start the car for a week (It's a pain in the __SS to park on a hill each time in SoCal). Tried looking at everything, no change. Cleaned up the terminals with a terminal brush and coating with di-electric grease - not a problem starting since.

[ntrylvl]

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

(Un)fortunately, my problem disappeared again before I had a chance to act on any of the suggestions. As of this morning, the car started up just fine...but I went ahead and removed the battery, cleaned all the leaves and junk from the battery tray area, cleaned all of the posts and contacts, including the chassis ground, and cleaned the contacts at the starter as well.

We'll see if this remedies the problem.

Why is it that Porsche has/had such a hard time designing cars with batteries that DON'T get wet?