Post Engine Cleaning Help

[EdfromSF]

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

[Manarius]

Are all the connections between your alternator and battery clean and tight?

[Schralper]

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.

[ensteele]

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.

[EdfromSF]

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

[SVXRide]

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

[b3lha]

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.

[SVXRide]

Phil,
Makes sense if all of the lights were lighting up, but it sounds like only a couple are (?)
-Bill

[Landshark]

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).

[kwren]

Originally Posted by EdfromSF

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.

Ed

SVXRide Phil,
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

[EdfromSF]

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

[Schralper]

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.

[michael]

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

[EdfromSF]

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

[OrangeOkie]

Let's at least a pic or two of your clean engine bay!