Question
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1
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Question
I went thru a carwash and later that night my check engine light and service traction control code popped up. It was fine before the carwash. Any suggestions on where to start looking to fix and clear the codes
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Was the "car wash" an old fashioned automatic one that pulled your tires through those "directional guide" rails? Hope not. That would cause a lot of potential tire/wheel issues even if it could fit into those tight rails. Your CEL could be from water spraying into the engine getting onto the battery and into the air intake, or...many other quirky related moisture issues. I always wash my Vette myself and very careful not to spray any water directly into the front end.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 1,680
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
At minimum, I would own a $17 code reader that will show DTCs and clear them. At the very minimum, you can go to your local auto parts store and have them read it for you. But, like me may years ago, if it takes forever for them to come out to your car....and then they didn't clear the code like they said they did, you will find your own code reader to be $17 well spent.
Even better is a $100 OBDII scan tool that reads more errors....like ABS (brake) and SRS (airbag) codes.
If you come back on here with codes, be sure to also mention your year model and engine size.
The links I gave are the two I have that work well, in addition to a GM Tech2 for more diagnotic capabilities. Many OBD2, CAN-enabled, readers and scanners to choose from.
Even better is a $100 OBDII scan tool that reads more errors....like ABS (brake) and SRS (airbag) codes.
If you come back on here with codes, be sure to also mention your year model and engine size.
The links I gave are the two I have that work well, in addition to a GM Tech2 for more diagnotic capabilities. Many OBD2, CAN-enabled, readers and scanners to choose from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,319
Likes: 2,219
From: San Antonio, TX
That's your car's way of telling you that you shouldn't run your car through the automatic car wash.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,634
From: Draper Utah
Your Corvette should go through a car wash just fine, despite what many in this forum believe, at the end of the day it's just like any other old Chevy. Pull the error codes and than you will know where to begin looking for the problem
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,462
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From: Maryville TN
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
If it was a full service car wash or you vacuumed the floorboards as part of the clean up, check the fuses under the passenger side carpet. Ensure they are all seated correctly. Also check the yellow connector under the driver’s seat as it can work loose and disconnect as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 5,398
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
As stated above let things dry out a bit. Perhaps take it for a looong drive to get everything up to temps. It may take a start/stop cycle after that to reset or, perhaps, a battery disconnect for a couple minutes. I occasionally run mine thru a park it and brushless wash to get the dust off.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,634
From: Draper Utah
While I normally hand wash my Corvette's I will say the new generation of drive through car wash that began showing up about two years ago do a nice job when you're in a hurry.
YMMV
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,231
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From: Pittsburgh
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 809
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
A Corvette might go through some but not all. It is a simple car to wash because it is so small, why take a chance?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 787
Likes: 280
From: Reston, VA
Not everyone has access to a hose and car washes are convenient. I'll occasionally go through the touchless automatic car washes if I find one but there aren't any near me. I've never been though the ones that you drive into the tracks and they pull you through. I drive 45 minutes to the nearest car wash that has the high pressure wands.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,634
From: Draper Utah
I'm not advocating for running your Corvette through a car wash. But I am laughing at how many on this forum believe the Corvette is some delicate and fragile vehicle. The Corvette is made by the same company that makes Tahoes and 2500 Series trucks that can be priced similar to a Corvette, yet are seldom babied and often used on work site and extreme environments. At the end of the day the Corvette is still just another old Chevy
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 131
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From: Austin TX
