99 Passat, ran rough then wouldn't start

[airmarshll]

I have a 99 Passat 1.8T 4-cyl. 5-spd manual. So I decided to be cute and clean the engine (cold of course). Sprayed on the cleaner, hosed it off. A little while later, drove off to get new tires and 1/2 mile down the road the engine suddenly started running rough, engine light came on, power/rpms dropped and then stalled. Real bad sulphuric catalytic converter fart happened at that point. Subsequent attempts to restart resulted in less time actually running until I couldn't get it to start, even a couple of hours later. Battery is fine - electric works fine. I don't believe there is water in the air intake (checked, was dry). Engine seems dry now, still no signe of life.

Any ideas? Computer command module wet maybe? Did I kill it? Doesn't seem like this should happen with just an engine cleaning...

[Will12]

If the check engine light is on, you have to get the codes and find out what it is. Usually VW and water don't mix. If you plan to have it for a while, get vag-com it sosts around $80-$120, #1 problem with VW is electronical, this way you are on top of the problems. Passat is great if you stay out of it.

[airmarshll]

Problem solved. Electronics under the hood were wet and shorting out the signals. Some additional dry time and it's running fine now.

Note to self...dirty engines run as well as clean engines, and water and Passat engines don't mix.