Help, my vx has confusing and aggrevating symptoms

[VehiGAZ]

sounds like a problem with your alternator.

+1

[IndianaVX]

Just a question, but did you happen to power wash your engine bay back when you first noticed the problem? i just ask because water can get in the harnesses, the plugs of sensors, etc.
look up member "climbcovey" he has a thread on some gremlins similar to yours, if i remember right. and it turned out to be his main wiring harness.
good luck
dave

[twistedsymphony]

The engine harness should be sealed from the factory. you should be able to submerge the car in water and as long as the coils and intake stay dry it will run.

If it was shorting out from water in the harness then it would mean his harness is damaged from something else that is allowing the water to get in there.

It's certainly not out of the realm of possibilities... but as my fiancee says "if you hear hoof-beats look for horses not zebras"

[VehiGAZ]

The engine harness should be sealed from the factory. you should be able to submerge the car in water and as long as the coils and intake stay dry it will run.

But the cylinder coils are not sealed (don't take forum posts too literally). Several of us have fallen victim to sporadic misfiring due to getting water down in one or more of the spark plug wells after power-washing then engine. It's very easy to d to yourself, and it doesn't always light the check-engine light, either.

If you are concerned that this may be happening to you, remove each coil (two Philips- and hex-head screws on each coil, but use a socket, not a screwdriver) and take a peek down in there. If you see anything wet, that may be the problem. The moisture seems to ground the charge to the engine instead of firing the spark plug. Check them all - it's easy to do. If you see water or noticeable moisture, let it dry it out and reinstall the coil.