Hi guy's I am new to the board and I just bought a 96 WS6 Trans am about 2 weeks ago. I went through a touchless car wash and when I came out the car ran very rough at idle, but good when I gave it some gas. I drove it home, let it sit for an hour then it was fine. The next day it rained and I had the same problem. Is this common in these cars? Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Sounds like your optispark got a little moist. It's a pretty common problem actually. Even extreme humidity can cause the opti to sputter. If it doesn't eventually go away, I'd put money on your optispark.

 

Well, I'd put money on your coil wire, cause I had the same problem for the longest time.

-Robert

 

Were there any visual defects in your coil wire when inspecting it? ie was it burnt, cut, or anything like that?

 

Everything looks fine, all wires and connections look good. After I washed it I looked under the hood and did not see any water around the coil or opti.

 

My best hint would be to stay out of drive through car washes. They are murder on the paint anyway. I know you can't stay out of the rain, but maybe it aggravated the condition caused by the car wash. Also check to make sure the MAF or it's wiring is not getting wet.

 

Thanks for the advise on the car wash it was cold outside and it needed washed(lazy).I did not check the MAF for water, the car does have ram air though. do you think that is the case? Also the car put out a code while running rough, but I dont have a code reader I figured this was just a misfire code. Would a reader be a good idea to get for this car, if so what kind?

 

Coil wire was corroded to hell, white crap and rust

 

Was it one of those carwashes that also sprays underneath the car? If so it may have soaked the opti from underneath.

 

I just checked and the coil and wires. They look great, as far as the car wash I am not sure if it sprayed under the car, I guess I will just wait and see if it does this anymore. Thanks for the replys.

 

I have another Coil wire if you want to try that at any point. And i agree with shoebox. Dont be so damn lazy Just let me know

 

is this true? i live in fl and its always extremely humid... lately ive been noticing a rough idle... im lost as to what it could be, but ive never considered that it may be the weather??? has anyone ever had proof that humidity could cause a bad idle/performance???

 

Had the same issue on my 96z,...found that water would run past the plastic cowl at the hood and down on the plugs 7 and 8. They'd misfire until they dried out. Solution was to build up the existing weatherstripping under the plastic cowl on the front edge of it. Look under the front edge of the cowl and you'll see what i mean. After I did that...no problems at all in the carwash or more likely with the garden hose at home.
Doug

 

Your Opti got wet, no biggie, yet... as long as you don't keep getting it wet, your fine.

 

SIMPLE.. you have ram air if its one of those touchless carwashes you just sit there in and the jets move around you, its gettin in the ram air n suckin in moisture..

Next time if you go through those car washes i found it helps to turn the car OFF.. it doesnt suck the air in, or get out n put a towel over the filter then remove once u pull out..