Help! Service Engine Soon Light Code 33

[chuckndonna67]

Folks, I made the mistake of washing the exterior (not the engine) of my 87 Coupe!! After drying it off I tried to start it and it wouldn't turn over the first couple of times. When it did catch it was rough and smelling like it was flooded and kept wanting to stall out. Finally it settled down and then I noticed the SES light on steady. It seems to run in drive mode smooth, but as soon as I shut it down and tried to restart it, it won't catch for a couple tries and then it really idles rough. I cleared the code but it keeps coming back. I have a feeling I got something wet that has to do with the MAF, either the sensor or relays. Any ideas??

 

[TedC]

Code 33 indicates a MAF related issue. Look at the two relays behind the battery on the firewall side. Did they get soaked when you washed the car? If I remember correctly, a rough idle can throw a code 33, even if the cause is not MAF related. Any chance water got into the gasoline tank because the drain is plugged?

 

[John Robinson]

A cracked distributor cap will absorb moisture and cause cross firing. Sometimes it will clear up with the heat of the engine running but as soon as it is shut down moisture will build up inside the cap. This is especially true if the humidity is high. The fact that you washed the car means you introduced high humidity around the car. This was probably the main reason distrubutor caps were replaced in the old days along with burnt contacts. I am telling my age again.

 

[chuckndonna67]

Folks, apparently the problem resolved itself......by waiting till this a.m. with the car in the garage, the time + the heat from the engine dried whatever out (I am thinking it was those exposed MAF relays behind the battery which got doused with wash water as that is only area through those side vents that water got through to the engine compartment). The SES light no longer comes on and the idle and starting are ok now. Thanks to all who looked and responded to this thread. Maybe this answer will help others too.