Why would a carwash cause "water in fuel" light to

Big Montana · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:40 pm

It has happened about five times. Always when I go through the underbody wash. Is this a huge sign I have a loose wire? A fuel leak?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:57 pm

the water in fuel sensor consists of a couple of wires
fuel isn't very conductive - water is
so any current going from one side to the other makes the sensor go off

if it turns off after the car wash - It's assume the connector is getting wet - outside the filter - and then drying off.
if you're leaking water into the filter - I'd expect it to stay in
(although you'd have lots of stalling/ non starts because any leak big enough for water to get in - will pull lots of air)

so I'd look for the wire/ connector

Big Montana · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:11 pm

Yes, it goes off once I start driving. Would it be one of the wires on the top of the filter head? The one on the bottom of the filter?

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:16 pm

WIF sensor is on the bottom of the filter. you almost can't disconect it unless you get under the vehicle and reach up to disconnect the wire. the wires on top are the heater and fuel temp sensor.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:11 am

For me it works better to remove the two bolts holding the filter head on and rais it up to unplug the WIF sensor. Much easier for me then getting under the jeep and reaching way up :lol:

If your replacing the filter just loosed it a tad before taking the bolts off. :wink:

CRDMiller · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:29 pm

Your not alone, it used to be that when i was off roading, and got into a lot of water/mud (i no longer do mud, i hate mud) and once in a car warsh, like you, i would have the wif light come on.

I used electrical tape on the harness and re wrapped it, has not happened since.

Also, other than those occasions, i have never had the wif light fire up. aka i've never actually had water in my fuel.

Whiteghost · **Joined:** Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:39 am **Posts:** 4

Had the same thing happen to me too. First time i freaked out. It was Friday evening, going to some freinds. Fill up as fuel station and get the truck cleaned at carwash, Water in fuel light comes on. Im like WTF...dealers are all closed, POS Chrysler. Get under the truck, remove connector and plug, fuel spills all over, no water...Second time at carwash, same thing. Drove a couple of minutes and it just went away...

Something has got to get wet under there and freaks out...

Big Ugly · **Joined:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:13 am **Posts:** 52

I have had this happen as well. Funny thing is that my WIF sensor is not even hooked up. I have the Racor fuel manager head and I never reconnected the WIF sensor. So I believe it is just an issue with water getting into the connector. Mine stayed on for a little while and then went off after it dried out.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:30 pm

When I changed the filter yesterday, there was a slash in the wire wrap. I have no idea how it got there; it looks like it was cut with a razor. Either way, I rewrapped the wires in a ton of tape, and we'll see what happens.

Why would a carwash cause "water in fuel" light to

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