Battery light and now wont crank after cleaning engine bay

[jshuman]

Last week, I washed my car at a friend's house and decided to clean out the engine bay as well. Before I did anything, I covered the cas, tps, and the isc to protect them from the water. I went ahead and washed the engine bay, and left the hood up until it was almost completely dry. I closed it because a thunderstorm blew in out of no where ( not suprising since I just finished washing my car ). Anyways, when I went out and started it a couple hours later, the battery and coolant lights stayed on. It was running fine so I drove it home. The next moring I started it again and the lights stayed on still. I shut it off thinking there may still be water somewhere. I tried again a couple days later and the lights were still on. I decided to drive it a little, and as soon as I took off, the lights went out. I thought that was the end of it. But when I went to lunch, the lights were on again, and went off as soon as I started to drive. I left work that evening and the same thing happened again. I went to start it again about 30 min. after I got home and it would not start at all. I just get one click when i turn the key and that is it. All of the guages, lights, and audio will come on and the battery has about 11.5 volts with the car off. I figure that is just from trying to start it a few times. Could I have damaged the starter or is it something else?

Also, I checked all the battery connections and power lines and they are fine. The alternator is only about 7 months old, and there is good tension on the belt.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks,
Justin

 

[Dream On]

Did you check the coolant level and the sensor on the bottom of the reservoir to see if water got in the connector?

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

Sounds like the alternator was damaged.

Battery should be 12volts with car off, and around 14 when on. Being low like that gives me the idea the car was shortly just being ran off the battery because the alternator is not functioning and not keeping it charged.

Check the voltage on the battery with the car running. If its not 14v, but lower, looks like the car is running on the battery and will eventually drain then die.

Those dash lights that you stay on are some of the symptoms of the alternator out.

 

[jshuman]

I did check the coolant level, but not the sensor.
Could the battery be a little low from all the times I tried to start it? (lights, gauges, and audio all coming on each time I turn the key)

Should I try to jump start it since I can't get it started?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[jshuman]

I have had no time since my last post to work on the car. I finally had some time to look at it yesterday. I was about to try to jump start it, but I decided to try to start it one more time. I turned the key and it clicked once just like the last time. Then I tried again and it actually began cranking and eventually started. no lights were on so I thought it was ok. This morning I took it to work. It was a little stubborn, but it strarted. When I left work, it began cranking slowly but wouldn't start. Each time i tried, it cranked slower and slower so I just left it there. I am really stumped here! I think it might be the starter or alternator. Has anyone had experience with this?

Thanks,
Justin