98 4runner check engine lightand running rough after cleaning engine bay with water
 

I was cleaning the engine compartment with a shelf bought engine degreaser on a warm engine not idling. I washed off the grit with a water hose and later that evening drove it and noticed a rough idle and then my check engine light came on. Did i get something wet i wasn't spose to? Thanks josh

Check in your spark plug tubes. This is very common. You likely have water in one or more tube, causing a misfire in each cylinder.

I have "repaired" a number of peoples rigs because of this problem.

ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WATER TO GET BY THE COIL PACKS AND INTO THE TUBES? I PULLED 2 OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE B/C THEY WERE EASY TO GET TO AND THEY LOOKED GOOD. i GUESS I NEED TO PULL THEM ALL HUH?

Yes, its very easy for water to get in there.

Pull them all out (after you learn to stop typing IN ALL CAPS) and look for water in there. I bet you find at least one tube with water in it. If you do, dry it out best you can with a paper towel, then pull the plugs (all) and turn the engine over to blow it all out. Let air dry a while, then put it back together and it should be running good again.

O.K. thanks for the advice and the detailed info! I'll get right on it in the morning.

reason i disconnect the battery cover the up the alternator and then after i clean it take a leaf blower or air hose to it

If you get your codes read, it will tell you which cylinder is mis-firing, which will tell you which plug has water around it, but it's a good idea to check all the sparkplugs anyways. Keep in mind that you're not necessarily looking for a sparkplug that's fully submerged in water. Even a tiny bit of water around the plug base (1/8") can cause a misfire. I wouldn't bother removing the plugs... I would just remove the plug wire, stuff paper towels down around the plug to get most of the water out, then use compressed air from a nozzle or wand to blow the rest of the water from around the plug base.

Then, get your codes erased and take it for a test drive.

How do I reset the codes? I've read on here elsewhere that you just undo your battery and the computer will reset itself. Is this true?

I checked all the sparkplug tubes and wound up with one having about 1/8" of water in it. Used a towel and a screw driver to dry up what i could and pulled the plug and dried it off. Let air dry for a while and then reinstalled. Unhooked the battery cable to reset the computer and it cranked right up and drove like a brand new one. Thanks for all your help. You guys really save alot of people there money and heartache.

Glad to help :D

thats weird. I just bought anothe runner and did the same dumb thing. For some reason I thought this couldn't happen with the individual coil packs and distributorless ignition. Shows what I know...