OK WTF did I do? HELP

[Cravin Boost]

today I decided it was nice out so I would take my car to the carwash and give the motor a quick bath. cut to leaving the warwash the idles a little rough ( I almost expected that) anf figured no big deal it will dry out and all will be well. Well that didnt happen. the car idles really rough. when I start from a stop the boost kicks in at takeing off I have to rev the motor a lil bit to get going. the car sounds just fine when gearing down (comming to a stop) but sounds like shit when I goto get into the throttle and seems to me that I have to get to far into the throttle to get going. I am looking for suggestions on things to check.
The car doesnt overheat, oil pressure stays pretty steady at 40 PSI when driveing. I looked and didnt see any vacume hoses that were off. the other wierd thing is wehn I first bought the car it had 3 dash lights that came on it was the [Brake light][Hatch Open Light] and [Battery] I got the alternator replaced and they went off All three of those lights started lighting up again today. Anyways any directions on where to start my search would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lagged]

what did you do? got lots of electrical connections wet it sounds like. way to go.

check the spark plug valley and dry that area out with some rags.

 

[jd20phill]

sounds like mine when my alt. went out. those three lights came on and stayed on until i installed a new alt.

 

[Satan]

You have the all-very-common, water (or favorite liquid), IN THE VALLEY, where the plugs sit. The plugs short-out and what you get is an engine that seems to be barely running on 4-cylinders.

There are some very long threads on this (might wanna search), but basically have to dry out EVERYTHING, even into the sparkplugs' wells. Lots of diff. ways to do this.... Good luck!

 

[GrimJack]

Wash engine = water in the spark plug valley = shorting plug wires.

Don't worry, you're not the first person to do this, and I guaran-damn-tee you won't be the last.

Take the top of your motor apart - coils, coil pack cover, leads, and dry out the valley. Put it back together and you'll be good to go.

 

[Cravin Boost]

Well today I drove out to a friends and we pulled the plastic cap off and nothing in the valley other than some oil.

Checked the plug wires and pushed them all down tight
Checked for a vacuum leak I couldn’t find any.

The car has no power the boost really does appear to be kicking in when it would be expected but it doesn’t seem to be adding any power at all.

The car runs and I can get up to speed given enough time. It’s idling at about 750 but its idling real real rough


I am gonna replace the plugs Friday when I have money again

 

[shaeff]

just for shits and giggles, check your codes. use the link in my sig if you dont know how, already.

-shaeff

 

[GrimJack]

And get that oil oit of the spark plug valley, it's at least as bad as water.

 

[suprabad]

If its just water shop vac it out and blow dry the residual and the inside of the plug connectors, works like a charm.

 

[antman]

yeah its really best to clean a motor by hand. gl