about 5 days ago i went to wash the car, a 89 244DL. I should mention that i recently removed the a/c condenser in front of the radiator to improve airflow through radiator and that the a/c blew hot air anyway. I should also mention i removed the factory airbox and bought a K&N 2.5inch i.d. and 5inch length. i bought a length of air intake hose to connect from the MAF sensor to the filter.
i was able to put the filter all the way up in front of the radiator to pull in cooler air. now to the problem. the car was running better than ever before in the time i owned it. but 5 days ago i washed the car and i'm almost positive i got water on the air filter and possibly other electrical parts. i tried to brighten up the front headlight covers and sprayed water across the entire front end along with the rest of the car. i went to put the hose and everything away. i would say about 15-20 minutes later i went to start the car and it started for 1 to 2 seconds then died. after that the starter would still turn the motor over but it wouldn't start. i read that the car can run without the intank pump but it will make the main pump work harder. I noticed that when i turn the key i dont hear the main pump no more and i never removed the gas cap to see if the in tank pump ever worked. so my first guess would be that both pumps are shot. the in tank pump could have been shot since i bought it in january which is why the main pump had a stronger buzz sound this whole time. it makes sense because the 1 to 2 seconds that it started could have been fuel left in the lines. my only other guess would be something electrical. possibly the MAF sucked water through it from a soaked air cleaner shorting out the fuel injection or ignition systems? i tried to be as descriptive as possible. hope we all can come to an agreement on what it is