Weird No Start/No Crank after car wash

[bigjae1976]

My car is a 2011 with the original battery. I daily drive it and use a battery tenderer when I'm traveling or don't drive it for awhile.

Never had a battery related issue. I washed the car this evening then I get into the car and it won't crank. The CD player (which I've touched like twice???) starts loading/unloading and lots of weird clicks.

Basically it does this...

Then if you keep trying to start it...you get a lot of weird light flashing...

I checked all of the accessible battery connections and all seems tight. Voltage is low but likely caused by me trying to start for a couple of minutes.

Thoughts?

[KingFishy]

Obviously something got wet... water and electricity can be very challenging. If you are not electrical savvy, let it sit, do not do anything, like a wet cell phone. Wait 2-3 days in a dry envoirment and then try again. If you can run a heater inside a closed garage this will help.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by KingFishy

Obviously something got wet... water and electricity can be very challenging. If you are not electrical savvy, let it sit, do not do anything, like a wet cell phone. Wait 2-3 days in a dry envoirment and then try again. If you can run a heater inside a closed garage this will help.

I wonder what would have gotten wet? I've never had an issue related to washing the car before over my 5+ years of ownership.

I washed the wheels, sprayed the wheel wells down and then just did a normal wash.

[GRM Scott]

Lifespan on a battery is generally 5 years at best, the car wash might be a total coincidence. Throw some cables on it and see if it cranks, if so, dead battery is your answer. Or push-start it if it's a manual.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by KingFishy

Obviously something got wet... water and electricity can be very challenging. If you are not electrical savvy, let it sit, do not do anything, like a wet cell phone. Wait 2-3 days in a dry envoirment and then try again. If you can run a heater inside a closed garage this will help.

You were spot on. It started right up this morning. Check engine light went away.

Thanks!

Weird...I'll have to do some investigating.

[IanMan]

Looks like either your ground is loose in the engine bay or your battery doesn't have sufficient charge. Have the battery load tested and make sure your terminals are securely fastened to the battery. I don't think it's the water that did anything. I just think it's a coincidence that this is happening right after you washed the car.

Question: How often do you drive the car, and how often do you let it sit? If you're driving the car daily, but a low amount of miles, it's very possible that you don't put on enough miles to sufficiently condition the battery to hold a steady charge over time which is why a lot of people choose to use a tender. I have to say that using a tender is one of the best decisions to maintain a battery on cars with so many onboard electronics like these.