97 Escort isn't running right

VickandRod · #1 10-03-2005, 12:56 PM

well after removing our dead cat from the front part of my car hubby washed the front part with a pressure washer.. he didn't know that the brain box was under where he was washing. when he started it up after washing it it was not running well at all. he dried everything he could and it still is not running right.. he is wondering if the brain box got wet and went bad? it sputters and won't shift into overdrive. also if in OD gear it will feel like someone has the break on while trying to give it gas..
does the brain box control all that? also when sputtering you can smell the gas like it isn't mixing right.. anyone can help it will be apprecaited. thanks

chevyn0va1 · #2 10-03-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickandRod

well after removing our dead cat from the front part of my car hubby washed the front part with a pressure washer.. he didn't know that the brain box was under where he was washing. when he started it up after washing it it was not running well at all. he dried everything he could and it still is not running right.. he is wondering if the brain box got wet and went bad? it sputters and won't shift into overdrive. also if in OD gear it will feel like someone has the break on while trying to give it gas..
does the brain box control all that? also when sputtering you can smell the gas like it isn't mixing right.. anyone can help it will be apprecaited. thanks

I know the computer in my 99 i think is located under the dash so I don't know which brain box you talk about. However you may try spraying wd.40 on all the electrical you can find. Also dont forget the spark plug wires, plug boots and coil pack. The wd-40 displaces the water. To my knowledge the other brands do not. Can also check at night time with the car running open the hood and see if you have any spark leaking (if so you'll see and hear sparks)

VickandRod · #3 10-03-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyn0va1

I know the computer in my 99 i think is located under the dash so I don't know which brain box you talk about. However you may try spraying wd.40 on all the electrical you can find. Also dont forget the spark plug wires, plug boots and coil pack. The wd-40 displaces the water. To my knowledge the other brands do not. Can also check at night time with the car running open the hood and see if you have any spark leaking (if so you'll see and hear sparks)

well he said right under where the cat was (which is the place he washed) was the brain box.. not sure if that is the name for it. he said he didn't know that and had he known he would not have sprayed water there. i believe he did spray wd 40 on all things.. even replaced spark plugs not sure about the plug boots or coil pack but will ask. as far as i know he said there is no spark leakage.. everything seem good there.
i noticed today that when i have it in reg d then it will be ok when i start to drive it it won't pull but when i go to put it in od it still won't shift into od...

have any idea if this is something in time will dry out or if it could be perm damagae?

Davescort97 · #4 10-05-2005, 12:11 AM

chevynOval is right about the brain box (Power control module) PCM . It is under the dash so there is nothing there to get wet. The brain box in the engine compartment is called the Constant Control Relay Module (CCRM) It has 30 some wires running into it. It's under the air cleaner housing. It's supposed to be sealed tight and I can't see any water getting in there. You could unplug the harness to it and spray the terminals with WD40. I think you have moisture in the ignition coil pack. It has the 4 spark plug wires running into it. Unplug the wires, dry what you can with a paper towel etc. and then spray the coil pack with WD 40. The service manual says it is OK to clean the engine with water as long as you cover up the alternator and the ignition coil pack. The best way to dry what is affected is to drive it (if you can) and let the operating temperature of the engine dry it out. You're right. Given some time it will dry out. I don't see it as permanent damage at all. Don't let it idle in park too long. The CCRM controls the high and low speeds of the radiator cooling fan and may be one of the things affected.

VickandRod · #5 10-05-2005, 07:51 AM

ok, you are right that is the thing he was referring to that is under the air cleaner houseing.. he has done everything you said.. does he need to maybe disconnect the battery and so it may reset?
I can drive it and i don't let it idle too long.. but it still is not shifting and still runs rough in the morning. I have notice when i start out i have to start out in low drive or it feels like it is being pulled back. now in the morning it will shift all the way through and yesterday it shifted all the way through but after i have been running it a while it won't.
sounds confusing to me..
i am praying one day it will just be back to normal.. and encouraged that it does not sound permnant.
thanks for your input..

Davescort97 · #6 10-06-2005, 08:03 PM

I think everything will work out well once the engine heat dries everything out. You ask about disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery to reset the computer. Sounds like a good idea. It may not help, but it sure won't hurt.

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