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Post Engine Cleaning Help
Last wednesday i had my engine steam cleaned at a local detailing shop. The manager there told me that he worried every time he cleaned an engine. After he was done with the cleaning the check engine light came on after about 20 mins of running the car the light went off and has not come back on. Later that night after work when i started my car the Steering, ABS, Brake, Stop, and Battery lights came on and have not turned off.
I went to visit my mechanic and he told me that there is a possiblity that the alternator got messed up during the cleaning and caused all those light to come on. Has anyone had a similar experience like this? There is a new rebuilt one on ebay that i was thinking of going after: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBAR...spagenameZWDVW Any and all advise would be great. Thxs Ed
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1996 Subaru SVX LSI Polo Green (My Precious) 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero Silver 5 speed (Daily) 2008 Subaru Tribeca Gray (Mrs.) 1992 Subaru SVX Touring Peacock Blue (Sold) 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Cream on Gold (Sold) |
#2
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Are all the connections between your alternator and battery clean and tight?
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#3
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Twice after degreasing my engine a few weeks ago.i had the MIL light come on. then after i drove the car and got it warmed up, the light went out.
i think it's just a damp connection. try disconnecting the battery to reset the MIL. i cant see where a wet alt is gonna cause a problem. if your battery is charging the alt is fine.
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WFO! http://www.cardomain.com/id/Schralper "You all laugh cuz I'm different I laught cuz you're all the same." |
#4
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I always put a plastic grocery bag over the alt when I pressure wash the engine. I don't like to get it too wet.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#5
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Manarius,
When i was at the mechanic they told me the alternator was charging fine. Schralper, I disconnected my battery for 2 hrs to see if that would do anything, it didn't the lights were still on. ensteele, The funny thing is that i asked the guy if he should put a cover on the alternater, he covered up the MAF sensor and fusebox, but he did not. He said that water on the alternator is not really that big of an issue. The part that really bugged me is that when i went to let him know that i had all these lights on his response was something to the effect i warned you that this could happen and there is nothin i can do to help you out. So know i am suck with a good running car with all these lights on not knowing exactly what is up. Ed
__________________
1996 Subaru SVX LSI Polo Green (My Precious) 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero Silver 5 speed (Daily) 2008 Subaru Tribeca Gray (Mrs.) 1992 Subaru SVX Touring Peacock Blue (Sold) 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Cream on Gold (Sold) |
#6
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Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the EG33 has a bunch of sensors underneath the intake (and scattered about the engine bay) that may not take kindly to steam cleaning. I'd suggest pulling the codes to see exactly what's up, especially since they're coming back after clearing them via disconnecting the battery. The "How-To" section has the procedures for pulling codes.
-Bill
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Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#7
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Christmas-tree lights on the dashboard usually means that the rectifier in the alternator has failed and it is passing a certain amount of AC current. Search for posts by Trevor on this subject.
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Subaru ECU and TCU Website 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon 1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II |
#8
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Phil,
Makes sense if all of the lights were lighting up, but it sounds like only a couple are (?) -Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#9
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NEVER steam clean your engine bay - steam can get inside connectors.
plastic bag the battery, alt, and any other electrical stuff, blast with Foamy Engine Brite or similar product (scrub tough areas if necessary), let it soak for a few minutes, then rinse with a hose (low pressure).
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
#10
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Quote:
Makes sense if all of the lights were lighting up, but it sounds like only a couple are (?) -Bill Actually sounds like a bunch of them are Has to be the alternator Keith |
#11
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I figure it is the alternator also. The car drives fine, the lights are only half on they are not bright if i pull on the Hand Brake the Brake light lights up if i do not have it on it is half lite same for all of the lights.
Ed
__________________
1996 Subaru SVX LSI Polo Green (My Precious) 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero Silver 5 speed (Daily) 2008 Subaru Tribeca Gray (Mrs.) 1992 Subaru SVX Touring Peacock Blue (Sold) 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Cream on Gold (Sold) |
#12
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how about testin the alt theory by disconnecting alt and starting?
if the lights go out then...... or won't svx's start w/ alt disconnected? i'm still a subbie jong. i realize it won't charge but there should be more than enuff batt juice to start and run for a lil bit. i haven't looked to see what's involved in disconnecting, either. it's snowing now.
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WFO! http://www.cardomain.com/id/Schralper "You all laugh cuz I'm different I laught cuz you're all the same." |
#13
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Don't do that, you could sent a spike through the electrical system. I'd take the alt out of the car overnight to dry it out. CRC (I believe) can be sprayed in the alternator to disipate any moisture, some compressed air wouldn't hurt either. If you really feel ambitious you could crack open the alternator and go to town with the CRC. Spray some in the harness side on the back of the alt. too
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#14
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I want to thank everone for your assistance with my little issue. I took it to my mechanic and they put in a new Alternator, no more lights car is good to go. I think i will have to go for a nice long drive this weekend to celebrate, even at $4.30 a gallon.
Ed
__________________
1996 Subaru SVX LSI Polo Green (My Precious) 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero Silver 5 speed (Daily) 2008 Subaru Tribeca Gray (Mrs.) 1992 Subaru SVX Touring Peacock Blue (Sold) 2002 Subaru Outback VDC Cream on Gold (Sold) |
#15
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Let's at least a pic or two of your clean engine bay! |
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