I just cleaned my car... I sprayed out the engine bay (I tried to avoid my wiring with the water... but I think I may not have been successful).

As soon as I sprayed it down, the car's electrical system acts like the car is still on when the car is in fact off. The climate control dash lights stay on as well as the turbo timer, and you can turn on the inside fan (heater) while the keys are out. Sometimes, instead of staying on, the turbo timer will turn on and off repeatedly and the dash lights will flicker (the climate control lights... the dash gague lights still stay off). The turbo timer no longer leaves the car running.... it acts exactly as if the car is still on (i.e., it doesn't need to count down if the car is still running).

I'm afraid that I shorted something when spraying down the engine bay... any insight? Where should I start troubleshooting?

 

i would say if you shorted something..it wouldnt work at all?...

so maybe you just basically connected two or more wires with the water..and that keeps them on..if its still wet id say get it really really dry then try ur stuff again..

 

I certainly hope you're right about the wiring thing (I was thinking the same thing)... it's been 6 hours and no change... I'll check it in the morning, but any other comments would be much appreciated.

 

yea, just wait till it dries. When i sprayed my motor down, when i drove my Tachometer would go super crazy, bouncing around everywhere. After driving around for about an hour it stopped, i guess the water dried up. When you said "Its been 6 hours now" was the car just sitting there for 6 hours? or where you actually driving?

 

I drove it back from the car wash... and that's about it (10min drive)... it also idled for 10 mins in the driveway...

 

bump for morning people!

 

This is strange. Underhood wiring uses waterproof connectors as it's subject to water from driving. You may have some poor wiring that you knocked loose. If water did work its way into a connector, then it likely won't dry by itself. Go around the engine bay unplugging and air blasting connectors (front and back) to get the moisture out.