Shudder after car wash

[jt_3212]

About 6 months ago I thought I had the transmission shudder problem that has been well documented in this thread . I added the shudder fixx and a few days later everything seemed to be fine, no more shuddering.

Problem Solved! Or so I thought....

Yesterday I went through an automatic car wash with an under body spray and today the shudder is back.

What is puzzling is that the last time I went through this car wash was when my shuddering started initially. In fact it happened the same day. I asked my mechanic about it then but they didn't seem to think it was related.

The coincidence seems too strong and I'm beginning to think what ever got wet eventually dried out and that is why my shuddering stopped the first time. But it can't be good for the truck and I was curious if any of you knew what could have caused this? Or if it's just bad luck and peculiar timing.

In general, is there something under the truck that could could get wet and cause shuddering problems? And if so, can I dry it out quickly?

Really appreciate any and all help!

2007 V6 SR5 150k miles if it helps.

 

[03v8raleigh]

Turn the truck off and place it in a bag of rice overnight

 

[camp332]

Turn the truck off and place it in a bag of rice overnight

You got me LOL'n as I sip my first cup of coffee!

Weird correlation between the car wash, and the shudder. However, I have no valuable input on this. I just hope it goes away for you.

 

[blackoutt]

In the VW/Audi world there's lots of instances of shuddering after car washes due to coil packs getting wet. I would think it would produce a check engine light and P03xx faults if it was misfiring bad enough to feel though?

 

[hoodoo]

Me thinks that your transmission was running at normal temperature when you went to the carwash and then the carwash cooled down the transmission and you then noticed the shudder again. After the transmission got to it normal operating temperature, the transmission was running as it was designed.

I've seen this before in my transmission also. Nothing wrong it, except how Toyota built the transmission.

 

[jt_3212]

Turn the truck off and place it in a bag of rice overnight

LOL I will try to find a big enough zip lock!

In the VW/Audi world there's lots of instances of shuddering after car washes due to coil packs getting wet. I would think it would produce a check engine light and P03xx faults if it was misfiring bad enough to feel though?

No codes or lights, I appreciate the info though. I will read some of their threads and see if anything seems the same. Also doesn't seem like a misfire, but I admittedly have never felt a misfire so I suppose it could be!

Me thinks that your transmission was running at normal temperature when you went to the carwash and then the carwash cooled down the transmission and you then noticed the shudder again. After the transmission got to it normal operating temperature, the transmission was running as it was designed.

I've seen this before in my transmission also. Nothing wrong it, except how Toyota built the transmission.

I wouldn't think it's temperature related. In each case the shuddering wasn't immediately after driving away from the wash, but started a few hours later. Plus it lasted about a week after the wash the first time and currently on day two this time around. I'll keep it in mind though, not sure how I would confirm that.

 

[sprocketus]

Had a very similar problem with a different vehicle, though not car wash related. At certain RPMs there was a noticeable vibration that I couldn't pin down. It was an extended bed Silverado with a 2 piece driveshaft. One of the U joints on the rear shaft was bad enough to cause it. If you have a bad seal letting water in from the car wash, I suppose that might cause it. I'd get it up on a lift and have a close look and check out any drive train components real close. Just some thoughts, hope you can get it sorted out.
P.S. Does it still have the vibration when you put it in neutral at the speed where you normally feel it?

 

[ThorInc]

Turn the truck off and place it in a bag of rice overnight

Basmati? :hatsoff:

Almost sounds electrical?

 

[jt_3212]

Had a very similar problem with a different vehicle, though not car wash related. At certain RPMs there was a noticeable vibration that I couldn't pin down. It was an extended bed Silverado with a 2 piece driveshaft. One of the U joints on the rear shaft was bad enough to cause it. If you have a bad seal letting water in from the car wash, I suppose that might cause it. I'd get it up on a lift and have a close look and check out any drive train components real close. Just some thoughts, hope you can get it sorted out.
P.S. Does it still have the vibration when you put it in neutral at the speed where you normally feel it?

Thanks the thoughts. I will check out the drive train seals and see if I can spot something. I haven't tried putting it in neutral while it's doing it, it doesn't last for long so it'll be tough to try but I will give it a shot. I can say it seems to go away the moment I let off the gas if that sparks anyone's thoughts.

Basmati? :hatsoff:

Almost sounds electrical?

This was my thought as well (the electrical, not the basmati, though that sounds good too )

Just not sure where to even begin checking electrical down there.

 

[gm350reratliff]

My guess is that water is getting into an electrical connector somewhere. It's hard to say where but I'd start at the transmission and work my way from there. I'd also check all the ground wires, especially from the engine to battery/frame and body to battery/frame. I'd also look for any signs of chaffed wires or damage from rodents.

 

[jt_3212]

My guess is that water is getting into an electrical connector somewhere. It's hard to say where but I'd start at the transmission and work my way from there. I'd also check all the ground wires, especially from the engine to battery/frame and body to battery/frame. I'd also look for any signs of chaffed wires or damage from rodents.

Thanks for the thoughts, I'm leaning toward the idea that it's electrical somewhere as well. I haven't found anything that has stood out unfortunately.

The shuddering has yet again subsided, and possibly gone all together but I'm not ready to say that for sure until I go a week or so without it occurring.

I was able to put it in neutral while it was happening and it did stop immediately, just wanted to update that portion.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. If I find anything unusual I will be sure to update you. For now I am just happy it has stopped and I will be avoiding high pressure underbody car washes for the foreseeable future.