Catastrophic electrical failure after engine wash...

[mrmojo1111]

I know, I know... never power wash under the hood...

...but...I was cleaning off the underside of the clamshell and just got the urge to gently rinse off the plenum and head covers...🤦🏻*♂️

Fast forward about an hour of drive time later and gradually things start to flicker out. First A/C, then radio, finally dash. About half an hour later the car starts to misfire, then stalls out.

After a flatbed tow home, battery charges normally on external charger but alternator does not seem to be providing charge (only 12V with engine running). No audible bearing noise coming from alternator.

Seems like a major PITA to get at the alt to test it out of the car. Any advice for troubleshooting this situation? Feel free to yell at me for doing something stupid. Lol

Happy Independence Day all!

[CamP]

Now that it's dry, just drive it and see what happens.

I put an old shower curtain over the engine when I wash the engine compartment.

[Z51JEFF]

Pull the he airhorn and the ALT can be removed.

[secondchance]

I hope your starter survives also.

[tokuzumi]

Also the connectors are probably not as weather tight after 30 years of heat cycling.

Let it dry for a couple days and try again. This happened with my Datsun to a much lesser degree. Engine was running poorly until things dried out. Now it's fine.

[Young1]

All my Z?s the starters were pulled and the drain tube cleaned with a wire and air hose and solvent to keep the water draining from the valley. I have cleaned out some gunk for sure.