i just made some modifications to my modshack air box, and washed the crapper out of my car. went to do a run to the store, and the car started shuttering and the check engine light came on. timing belt looks ok. it still cranks and runs, but it runs rough. how do i diagnose? PLEASE HELP!

 

Sounds like Coilpacks or Plugs. Did you wash the engine bay? Sometimes you can get water in around the base of the coilpacks and it makes them misfire.

 

thanks steve, so if i let it sit do you think it will dry up? and what to do about the cel? i think my apr chip reset/lockout reset the cel alread? thanks for the advice
E

 

If the CEL is due to a misfire, it will generally clear itself after a few miles of driving (50 or so). If not, you can always go to Autozone and have them read the codes and reset for you. That way you'll know for sure what it was.

As for drying things out, remove the coils and blow air from a compressor or a can of dry air (computer cleaning) in there to speed things up.

 

coils 1&2 look easy to get to. 2&3 look a little buried in vac lines and such. anything i should remember when i do this tomorrow morning? should i blow out the head where the coil/plug connect as well?

E

 

Nothing difficult really, you may have to move a couple of clamps and vac lines to get 3 and 4 out. Blow out the head around the plugs and the coilpacks. Let everything sit and dry for a couple of hours then reassemble.

 

did you get it scanned to see if this was indeed your problem?

 

i havent had the computer scanned yet. this happened yesterday. i went and bought a can of air this morning. i took it all apart, blew out everything except the head. i couldnt blow out the head because you cant turn those cans on their side. you get just chem. instead of air. i blew out all coil connections. i think i need to go to my brothers shop tomorrow so i can use an air hose. when i restarted it, the problem was still there, but got better after letting it idle. it still isnt right. i couldnt leave it to air dry. it started raining! STUPID FLORIDA IN JULY!

 

run the engine till it warms all the components ( operating temps ) and it should be ok then it needs a drive cycle so take it for a drive to reset the computer

 

i let it warm up at idle. it got much better. i will take it for a test drive later to reset ecu. thanks for the advice