Will not start after car wash

Tiny
ARUN IYER
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 MAZDA 3
  • 1.6L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
The battery is not the problem, the lights are bright, all normal signs on dash board come on while turning the key, remote locking works fine, windows can also be closed and opened remotely. But the engine just won't start. This was exactly after the wash got completed.
Thursday, May 28th, 2020 AT 6:37 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
What type of car wash was this? Did you wash it at home and wash the engine compartment or was it a drive through car wash?

Does the engine crank but not start? Meaning the starter turns over but the engine does not start or does the engine not do anything when you turn the key?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let us know this info and we can go from there because it will make a large difference as to what the issue could be. Thanks
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Thursday, May 28th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
ARUN IYER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Kenny, thanks for your reply. It was an automatic car wash outside Tesco. It was the first time I used automatic car wash though. The engine does not do anything when turning the key. No sound. The lights and radio works just fine.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The main thing that would make sense is a fuse to the starter has blown. Normally if this is just water intrusion, when it dries out the vehicle will start again. So I attached the wiring diagram. Let's go to the engine compartment fuse box and check all the fuses and replace any that are blown.

If none are blown then we need to go to the starter relay and remove it in the same fuse box. Then turn the key to the start position and check for voltage at pin 1. If you have it there, then jump the relay by putting the 12 volt red wire to the gray control wire with the key in the on position and see if the starter spins.

If it does then the relay is the most likely cause.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 7:41 PM

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