OK, so today I took my car to one of the touchfree carwashes to get it washed (I hate the things, but its too cold here to wash it by hand), and after the carwash finishes washing, I give the car some gas to get the front wheel out of the bracket that holds it in place. As I do so, I get this really bad vibration/rumble type noise from the engine, and as the tire pops out of the bracket, my SES light comes on, flashing. So, I get the car out of the wash, park it, and shut it off. I let it sit for a minute, then restarted the car, and it seemed to run fine; the SES light was on, but not flashing. Since everything seemed OK, I decided to drive it home, and it ran fine, no problems or abnormal noises whatsoever.

When I got home, I pulled out the code reader, and the computer was throwing P0300 ("Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected"). Unfortunately, after that, I had no choice but to drive it a short distance again, and while driving, the SES light went out (I didn't delete the codes out of the PCM with code reader, btw).

Is it safe to drive my car? Is it possible that water got into the Opti at the carwash and caused it to momentarily stumble? One other thing I should probably mention, my intake manifold gasket is leaking, and there is some oil on both the starter and the crankshaft position sensor, which I'm told could cause something like this (flashing SES light).

Any help would be appreciated.

 

If the carwash had the "underbody wash" where it jets water on the underside of the car...it could have gotten the opti wet. The under car rinses are pretty high power. I owned a Crown Vic at one time and the pressure blew a brake line off the caliper. Since your car ran fine once it dried out, this would be my guess.

As long as the SES lights don't recur or a persistent stumble, especially at higher RPM's, I think you will be fine.

Schantin
1997 Camaro Z28

 

Yeah it sounds to me that the carwash got your opti wet. Thats why you got that random misfire code. Maybe you will get lucky and your opti will dry and it will be okay. But if not it looks like your gonna need a new opti. Just make sure first that all your wires are still attached and or not burnt up.

 

just drive it....don't worry

 

I work at a touchless wash and have never had a problem like thi swith my car. I always get the under carraige to. Only problem i've ever had is when i go through the dryer the ram air is sucking in so much it stalls out lol.

 

Thanks for the help all, I haven't had any further probelms while driving the car today. That's probably the last time my car is not washed by hand though.

 

No problem

Schantin
1997 Camaro Z28

 

never do the underbody wash, and be lucky you have a vented opti because that's what saved you.

 

yea it should be the last time you should take it to the car wash and run it through. im not hating on the people that owrk there but stuff happens there and its the machines fault. you could probably go back and get something done about it like get your money back or somethign cuz they ****ed it up. it probably more than likely was your opti but sounds like ur ok now.