THANKS GILLY
no was told everything was o.k (NO PROBLEMS OR WATER ISSUES) up to before the trip.
on the day of the trip the batt was dead and the car was washed before i got there?
i do agree that things must have got wet under the seat where the batt. is but that is the only evidence of moisture. everything else is dry.

the only thing i did before the trans started acting up was to check where the computers are in the hood.
i took of the cover and checked the row of fuses in there. i pulled a few out and put them back again as they were ok.
there was no evidence of water.

GILLY i did see a lot of leaves in the water run of area by the windshield.(you mentioned that drains might be blocked) so water from the wash could have gone into the front area by the fan.
THANKS
SPIKE