My car won't start. It doesn't turn-over. If it did it would start. I just get that clicking sound. At first I thought I had left the key in the on position while I was detailing my car, but I'm realizing now that it probably has to do more with pressure washing my engine bay. I was very careful not to spray directly into the any electrical components. In fact I drove my car home from the self serve car wash, but I probably did not run it long enough to let it dry. The car will start eventually if I just t keep turning the key, but it could take as many as fifty tries. It's not consistent. I took it for a run last night, and let it sit running in my garage for a good 20 minutes last night. This morning it started fine. Now it won't start again.

Any suggestion please.

 

Checked your cables? If you did I would be guessing a short of some kind from the water.

 

Let it dry out. You could be causing further damage by cranking it too much - overheating starter (be there, done that).

 

Put the key in, shift it to Drive...shift it back to Park and try again. This happened to me the first day I bought my car, I bought it used and when that happened I thought I had made a huge mistake...

 

FP, open up your fuse box and take a hair drier to it even if it looks dry.
Good Luck.

 

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Never spray water on an engine bay with today's electrical components. With my old cars its no big deal, just cover up the carb and distributor. The last time I carefully rinsed off an engine with electrical components was my '92 Stealth RT Twin Turbo. Well I fried the fuel pump relay. My friend the service manager said to always just wipe the engine down, never use any moisture whether its water or steam, because it can get into the relays, and all of the hundreds of electrical components that make up today's engines. Hard to say what you might have done, could just be moisture in the distributor (of course I've only owned my Crossfire for 3 weeks), does it have a distributor or is it distributor-less ?

 

~ i power wash my engine every 2 weeks or so... never an issue.

 

I was able to get it started again, but am concerned that it may happen again.

 

If when you try to start the car and all you get is clickety click...Look at the battery cables. Corrosion or being loose can cause your problem. Remove cables, clean post and clamp. Reinstall then coat with petroleum jelly as an antioxidant.

Gary

 

FP, I'm with Gary. I was so wrapped up thinking about things that could go wrong when you hosed it down, I forgot to mention the #1 most common problem, the battery cable.
There can be enough corrosion to keep it from making a good connection, even if they look clean. Sometimes it just looks like a "black" residue. If ya don't have a battery post/cable cleaner, just use some sand paper.
Like Gary mentioned, I've also used petroleum jelly in the past with no problems. But my "Electrician" buddy tells me to use a special "electrical grease" that conducts the electrical current better, and I guess it has a higher resistance to heat so it doesn't "melt off" as easily.
He says, save the "love lubricant" for other uses.

 

Thanks for your help guys. I'm hoping you're right. I did tap the battery connections, and it's been stating OK since.

Great Forum.

 

Always park on a hill. Vigorously run beside the car with the door open, pushing. When you reach 5-8 mph, jump in (careful not to fall under the rear wheels), and pop the clutch. It should start right up.

Oh. You have an automatic. Why buy a convertible sports car with an automatic?

Just kidding.

 

I test drove the stick, but was not impressed with the gear box.

 

If you cables are tight and clean and you are worried it may happen again.
Have a load test done on the battery to make sure its still good.

 

Thanks, all is well now.

 

FP

I know a few folks that have had problems with the Roadster's and Alternators and Convertible tops not being fully withdrawn and drawing power trying to close completely.

Was your top down at the time, and did problem leave after top was up?

I know it's a silly question, but you never know...

XFH

 

Top was down when I had the issue, but also down when the problem went away. I don't have the problem anymore. I'm sure I just got something wet that I shouldn't have.

 

FP...so glad you're up and running again. It's been a while since I've been on the site...hope all is well with everyone!