Engine got wet, now won't start -- help!

[Andrew]

My engine got pretty well soaked with a hose and now it won't start.

My first attempt got me a click--click--click sound. I searched this forum and saw (not surprisingly) that it was an electrical problem.

The battery still has a green light, and the various electrical things in the car (lights, radio) work. So the main battery connections are fine, and it has juice.

I tried to jiggle some connections, but have no idea if I found the right ones.

Next time I tried to start, the clicking was a lot faster: clickclickclickclick. But it won't turn over.

Help! Any suggestions? I've got a stick and live at the top of a hill, but I'm afraid that a roll start might not work and will leave me at the bottom of said hill.

[Andrew]

Oh, I saw this:

"Test your battery and check for a good connection at the starter. Good luck."

Where is this connection? I see the starter (what I assume is the starter), and the battery seems to connect underneath. Is this right?

I just want to be sure that I'm checking the right things. Grr. (And thanks.)

[SC V6]

may have popped some fuses, check the fuses to see which are good...

[Andrew]

Hmmm... good thought. Will check. Thanks!

[Mole]

My engine got pretty well soaked with a hose and now it won't start.

How'd it get soaked by a hose?

[Andrew]

I spilled coolant on it, and wanted to be sure to wash it away completely. I've used a hose on the engine before when using degreaser, but never had a problem.

Latest: Third try and it seems to turn over for a second (other times the engine itself didn't make a sound). Still won't start, but I'm hopeful it's drying.

[Mole]

did you cover up your electronics in the engine bay before flushing with the hose?

[Andrew]

Problem fixed.

I unplugged and replugged one of the connections to the starter motor, and now it starts. <whew> I suspect it was a combination of waiting and jiggling that did it.

In other words, "Never mind."

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

always cover up fuses, alternator, and battery when hosing off inside the car and LET IT DRY!

[camcar se]

Yeah, or you can do the next best thing and leave the car started while spraying it down, just dont directly spray, the alt or bat or fuses; or belts, if you can help it.

[marc780]

The other people covered it pretty well, but i work on cars all day and I see this problem all the time, and not always because the connections are wet of course :
The starter solenoid can get wet inside, because they are not always sealed 100%. And the slightest bit of water, dirt, rust or corrosion can make the solenoid stick. If you have ever tried to start a car thats been sitting for a long time and had problems, this is often the reason.

If your starter wont turn (even though the battery's good) the very first thing you should try is banging the solenoid several times . Use the end of your tire iron, a long socket extension or whatever you happen to have, and then trying to start the car again. This trick is often good for coaxing at least one more start from a dying starter.

Also dont deliverately spray water on an engine that is too cold OR too hot; if too cold the water may linger in the wrong places (as you discovered) and not boil off like it would on a warm engine. BTW also be sure NEVER spray water on a hot engine - this could crack your engine block just like a hot drinking class from the dishwasher.

[marc780]

And hope i dont look like one to beat a dead horse over and over but i felt i had to post another comment. To the idea of leaving the engine running while spraying the engine down, the only response is a great big NO! Youd be much better off leaving the engine filthy than spraying water on a running engine under any circumstances. If you try that theres a good chance some water might sneak in the air inlet to the engine and blow your piston or head, so just DONT DO IT.

I have washed engines many times and only had problems once, when water snuck down the plastic spark plug extensions and shorted out the plugs. Blowing out the area with compressed air, with spark plugs still installed fixed the problem. When cleaning, cover the alternator and distributor if present, and air inlet with plastic bags. Dont spray electrical connections or fuse boxes and dont spray water on an engine thats too hot, let it cool down some first, maybe wash the rest of the car and vacuum it while letting it cool for 15-20 minutes then wash the engine.

[Whatever]

congrats on fixing the problem, that would be suck if i can't start my car....car problem always take long time to fix

[Mandarinsolara]

at first i was maybe thinking you did it while the motor was hot or something and really broke something. my friend thinks its cool to see the steam and stuff, but thats the easiest way to crack header or head gasket or something.
anyways, thanx for the heads up an the starter connector being prone to disconnection