Truck won't start after pressure washing the engine bay please help

90

Asked by Cableguydude Apr 14, 2017 at 12:02 AM about the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I lightly pressure washed the engine bay of my
truck and ever since then the truck will crank but
not fire up.The truck ran flawless before this
happened.please help

9 Answers

50

It's possible a sensor has been affected because of the water seeping into the area where it connects with to a plug / terminal. I would give it a day to fully dry out, especially if you can let the sun shine on the engine bay. If it still wont start, make sure the connections didn't loosen and cause a weak connection. If you STILL have issues you may have to take it to a shop. In the future wrap any and all sensors, connectors etc.... with plastic and tape them of tight.

6 people found this helpful.
90

I unplugged the spark plugs and let it dry for about two days replaced the bad battery and today it fired up first crank.I warmed it up then drove it ten minutes and shut it off.Came back a few hours later It cranked but would not fire up.Do you have any other information on this? Thank you

5 people found this helpful.
90

No check engine lights or any others while I had it running. The engine is in great condition leaks no fliuds or anything of that nature everything is connected .

2 people found this helpful.
90

We believe it could possibly be the alternator or the starter.Mainly because the alternator did get sprayed once directly.Any thoughts?

2 people found this helpful.
30

I'm having exactly the same problem... and I'm in a huge bind because of it.. did you get this resolved!? If so What fixed the issue ? Silveradolovinredneck@gmail.com please email me i need help asap

3 people found this helpful.
30

I pressure washed the floors in my 99 Silverado 1500. Now it won’t start. It turns over but won’t start. I did not pressure wash Motor. Never had hood open. What could cause this? This truck starts fort crank every time. Had her over 12 years.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Did you figure it out I did same thing ....I'm soooooo pissed.

1 people found this helpful.

Water and electronics don't play well together. This is no mystery. Dry it out!

3 people found this helpful.

Wiring Harnesses are now only designed to last 10 years, copper is expensive so they make the wires as thin as possible. Getting water inside the connectors will cause corrison to an already thin wire. Keep water away from wires or you will later get codes like p2135 and will need to replace the complete engine wiring harness.

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