So last night I'm taking my car through the carwash, and as soon as the front end of my car got sprayed, my engine started misfiring, my RPMs dropped to almost nothing, and my CEL came on. I assumed my ignition coils got wet from the underbody spray, since it had happened before, but when I got home I got the car up in the air and the boots on the terminals were completely dry, and the electro' grease was thick enough there shouldn't have been a problem with water getting in there. I'm wondering if water could have gotten into the intake and caused the misfire? I have my air filter placed right behind the grill, so I guess it's possible. Anyone with thoughts on this? It's running fine today, but I wonder if I should move my filter so this doesn't happen again.
"Silly cluth, glazing is for donuts!"
Well test it once, does moving the filter prevent the misfire. Another thing is water on the plug wires will cause misfires, this is especially common when its humid ( I know it wasnt humid but just commenting), the current is then finding another path to ground. Look at your plug wires for cracks or anything.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Nice. I hadn't actually thought of the wires being the issue but I'll check them. I was kind of curious if the engine would even have enough vacuum to suck water through the filter if it wasn't completely submerged - i know this can happen on some CAIs, which is why some have bypasses. I'm thinking I'll stick the stock intake on with the filter on the end so it sits behind the battery, maybe that will solve the mystery. Looks like time for another trip to the carwash.
"Silly cluth, glazing is for donuts!"
i wouold check your alternator, battery, plugwires, your whole ignition circuit.
Sketch Hack wrote:i wouold check your alternator, battery, plugwires, your whole ignition circuit.
LOL, how can a battery and alternator cause a misfire?
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
^ not enough power to fire the plug..
Ender_Wiggin wrote:^ not enough power to fire the plug..
You dont know a god damn thing about cars and primary and secondary ignition systems do you? Didnt think so.
The coil sends voltage to the wires to the spark plugs. It gets it voltage because the magnetic field inside the coil collapses.
The coil gets it power from the battery. But are you that stupid to think it would cause a misfire if the battery got wet. Batteries can and do wet, it doesnt effect them unless you submerge them in water.
How about this, how about you go out buy a book on how ignition systems work then return and post.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
He didnt really find a smoking gun to his problem unless he knew what code his car was throwing.
what about water getting into the crank position sensor or cam sensor?
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/504808/z28.jpg" width=317 height=59>
Rob S wrote:Ender_Wiggin wrote:^ not enough power to fire the plug..
You dont know a god damn thing about cars and primary and secondary ignition systems do you? Didnt think so.
The coil sends voltage to the wires to the spark plugs. It gets it voltage because the magnetic field inside the coil collapses.
The coil gets it power from the battery. But are you that stupid to think it would cause a misfire if the battery got wet. Batteries can and do wet, it doesnt effect them unless you submerge them in water.
How about this, how about you go out buy a book on how ignition systems work then return and post.
There's a fresh batch of hero cookies just for you.
15.69@86.670 - stock 99Z
Just got everything checked out. 'The problem was the module itself. It was shorting out so I took the module off my other Cavy since I blew the motor on it and everything seems to be working fine. But out of curiosity, what is GM's malfunction that they thought it would be cool to make the module and coils so friggin hard to get to? I mean, seriously. It's almost impossible for anyone bigger than, say, a Smurf, to get under the car to change that stuff. From the top you pretty much have to take off the entire intake manifold. Am I the only one that thinks that sucks?
"Silly cluth, glazing is for donuts!"
^^^^^
The enginners simply dont care. Did you know on some Cadillacs you must drop the sub frame to replace the alternator.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Rob, why is it that when someone suggests something you feel the overwhemling need to act like a prick? All you need to do is point out why what they are saying doesn't make sence you need not act like gods gift to the automotive world and suggest someone go read books. Answer the questions and move on.
Don't forget NOONE likes a smart ass.
Also unless you can walk on water Rob you may want to ease up.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Now to stop myself from sounding prickish too let me explain exactly how the alternator and charging system getting wet CAN indeed cause a mis-fire / stall situation.
The car contrary to what Rob said does not run on the battery. The battery is used ONLY to start the vehicle, after that the alternator takes over and keeps the car supplied with power so it can run. Now if the battery is weak and the alternator gets soaked with water then it can't supply the power and the car relies on the battery. If the battery is weak and their is other electronic equipment on such as the DRL's, the radio, and the blower motor for the heat then this is in fact enough draw on the allready weak battery to cause a driveability problem. True it is more likely that the spark plug wires are getting wet and thats causeing the problem but I just felt that it should be pointed out that the other guys were it may be a further reach they are not wrong.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
^^^^^
Technically the battery is the souce of all power. Since you say the car run without the battery disconnect it with the car running, it will die. Second though dont disconnect it it will just destroy solid state componets, one the alternator will full field itself, two the voltage is going to find a ground someplace so your PCM is the most likely target. Anyways back on track is someone comes on here, says some random BS, and the guy with the problem takes the morons advice, and replaces some part that didnt need replacing it would kind of suck, dont you think?
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
/\ /\ /\
Go start your car and dis-contect the battery and it WILL indeed remain running Rob. And your telling people to go read books? Hello pot kettle here!! Dude
the Alternator provides the power once the car is running. Once the car starts the battery is just along for the ride being kept charged up by the alternator. Why do you think when you jump a car who the owner had left the lights on does it still run AFTER you disconnect the jumper cables? THE ALTERNATOR !!! THATS WHY. Good Grief.
Now I do agree with you on your diagnoses as to it being the wires or the cap or coil pack as the case may be. I just dis-agree with how you respond to someone who has albeit made a bone head suggestion and you rake them over the coals for only trying to help. I'm in no way trying to start an E fight with you just trying to say youe may want to tone down the responce Rob I wouldn't want you to get a bad name. Most of your advice is good, true sometimes a little over the top on simple things, but your only trying to help. Just like the poor guy that you blasted.
Now go outside and do the above mentioned test and let me know what happens
Oh and BTW, the volage won't spike and cause the dammage that your thinking it will.
I've done it waaay more times then I can remember and the car never had ANY ill effects.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Rob S wrote:Ender_Wiggin wrote:^ not enough power to fire the plug..
You dont know a god damn thing about cars and primary and secondary ignition systems do you? Didnt think so.
The coil sends voltage to the wires to the spark plugs. It gets it voltage because the magnetic field inside the coil collapses.
The coil gets it power from the battery. But are you that stupid to think it would cause a misfire if the battery got wet. Batteries can and do wet, it doesnt effect them unless you submerge them in water.
How about this, how about you go out buy a book on how ignition systems work then return and post.
Never said that batteries cant get wet, but he asked how the alternator/battery had anything to do with it. Wouldnt those two not making enough power cause the plug not to get enough spark? It was a theory, and yes i dont know a whole lot about ignition systems, just a thought. No need to be an ass about it.
/\ /\ /\ Edner, I explained why what you said actualy could cause the problem. And I agree about the ass statement as well.
BTW, it would appear that he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does either.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
