Sophia Be wrote:
So I went to the car wash today, and when I left, I noticed my dash lights are now shorting out (coming on and going off at random)

I called Toyota to see if this was coincidence, or something that could have happened at the car wash. They said it's most likely from the worker spraying fluid into my steering column, causing a short.

I watched the guy wipe down the inside, he had a spray bottle on stream and was spaying it at random and wiping stuff down. (at the time I was worried it might get into my speakers, but didn't imagine it could cause serious damage. Apparently they are supposed to spray the rag, not the car directly)

Now I have to go fill out a complaint at the car wash. But I am really, very non confrontational, so I'm having major anxiety about it. The poor guy that did it will be there. I feel so bad, I don't want to get him in trouble, but i also don't want to have to pay for an expensive repair.

I'm seriously shaking just thinking about it

Call your favorite local photographer to rescue you. Tell him you need a 'take charge' guy (like he does with a shoot) to handle a delicate situation for you. Then be prepared for an impromptu TF session!
Win/Win

Marc Damon wrote:

Call your favorite local photographer to rescue you. Tell him you need a 'take charge' guy (like he does with a shoot) to handle a delicate situation for you. Then be prepared for an impromptu TF session!
Win/Win

My husband's at work, but I did call my sister to go with me. She knows how I am and said she'd help/give me moral support.

A photoshoot of me timidly trying to complain would be funny though! Pathetic, but funny

Sophia Be wrote:
My husband's at work, but I did call my sister to go with me. She knows how I am and said she'd help/give me moral support.

A photoshoot of me timidly nakedly trying to complain would be funny though! Pathetic, but Fantastic and funny

Fixed!

sospix wrote:
Take yer ax with ya  .  .  . 

SOS

ha!

orias wrote:
get a report from the repair place/dealer detailing the damage and probable cause as well as a quote for any necessary repairs because of the damage... bring it to the car wash place after you find out when the owner is there and show them the report and they will be more than willing to find some sort of equitable solution

the poor guy will probably get fired,  but it's better  than him doing that to everyone elses car for years down the road just to endup fired later anyway.

I didn't go to Toyota, I just called. The service guy said that it could dry up and be fine or not, no real way to tell right now. A diagnostic is around $100, so I'm gonna see if it takes care of itself first.

The manager of the car wash wants me to fill out a complaint, which is a good idea just in case it doesn't work itself out.

I was talking to the manager of a different car wash on Facebook, and he has heard of this happening before (damage done by someone spraying cleanser into the steering column)

I really don't want to get the guy in trouble. I really, really don't. The manager of the place where I got it washed said they aren't supposed to spray the car, just the cloth. Uff I just hate having to complain.

Marc Damon wrote:

Fixed!

It's like 30 degrees outside, so yeah, still funny!

DougBPhoto wrote:
I know who to blame when it rains !!!

South park had it right. Blame Canada, they keep shipping it down here

Sophia Be wrote:
It's like 30 degrees outside, so yeah, still funny!

I'm betting the complaint department is indoors Ms. Be.
Are you a natural blonde?

Marc Damon wrote:

I'm betting the complaint department is indoors Ms. Be.
Are you a natural blonde?

Actually, sort of, ha ha. I'm strawberry blond.

They don't have much of an indoor area, so it would at least partially take place outside. I could always wear a flasher style coat though, and pose next to the air freshener trees :p

JJMiller wrote:
Just letting the car dry out will most likely solve the problem- just don't try to start it for as long as you can, once it's dry it should be fine. The bad thing is to send a current through the electronics while there is still moisture present.

That's what I decided to do. I'm going to let it dry for a day or so and see if it fixes itself.

It was so cold this morning and the guy didn't have gloves on, and the place was slammed. I imagine he was just trying to save time. I really don't want to get anyone in trouble if I don't absolutely have to.

If it's still broken after a few days, I'll have to. If not I will just ask management to remind the workers spraying water at a dash could possibly cause damage (that way I don't get anyone in trouble)

If there is no permanent damage, then no harm done.

UltimateAppeal wrote:
I think it is true that if you put like a bowl of dry rice in the car (close to the steering column) and close the car up nice and tight. The rice absorbs moisture and may help just like silica does.

Just a thought.

Funny you say that, I was thinking of trying to put rice in saran wrap and put it around the steering wheel, ha ha. not sure if it would really do anything, but it's worth a try

Thank you

UltimateAppeal wrote:
I think it is true that if you put like a bowl of dry rice in the car (close to the steering column) and close the car up nice and tight. The rice absorbs moisture and may help just like silica does.

Just a thought.

Sophia Be wrote:
Funny you say that, I was thinking of trying to put rice in saran wrap and put it around the steering wheel, ha ha. not sure if it would really do anything, but it's worth a try

Thank you

I don't think I'd try it that way.  Rice might get out and into the column or the ignition lock, which could cause other issues.  A fine mesh bag just below the column might be your best bet.

MN camera wrote:

UltimateAppeal wrote:
I think it is true that if you put like a bowl of dry rice in the car (close to the steering column) and close the car up nice and tight. The rice absorbs moisture and may help just like silica does.

Just a thought.

I don't think I'd try it that way.  Rice might get out and into the column or the ignition lock, which could cause other issues.  A fine mesh bag just below the column might be your best bet.

Yeah that's why I suggested in a bowl, so it is open to the air, but no chance of getting rice into anything else.