Electrical problems after flooding

[mxrx]

Hi ALL!

My 2005 Vibe got flooded recently. On a passenger side water got just above engine computer and on the left side (which was slightly higher) it touched the ODB port but didn't touch a fuse box. The engine is fine but I am having electrical problems..

First the car couldn't start and I replaced ECU, which helped, now I can even drive it... but battery light is ON for the most time and transmission doesn't shift sometimes. Also check engine light is ON and Overdrive light is slightly lights up on a dashboard (it lights up properly when I turn on the OD).

I looked at the alternator plug and it damaged by corrosion, I will try to clean it up and see if helps.

What else should I check if my car got flooded almost to the dash board level?

Thank you.

[tpollauf]

First off ... Welcome to GenVibe. Got any pictures of this flooded Vibe? What type of flood (lake, river, sewer, city water, rain water,etc. If it truly got up to the dashboard I'd say the vehicle is history. Especially since it is an 11 year old car. Too many other possible electrical problems could pop up and cause failures just when you need to rely on it for dependable transportation. Take the insurance money and go find yourself another one.

Definitely post pics of the level and damage. We like to help out where possible and pictures are the best way!

[mxrx]

The only option I have is to fix the car myself and it only has 90k miles.. making it a history isn't an option. I am willing to dedicate my own time and money for parts. And the water didn't touch the dashboard, as I said it touch ECU on a right side just below the glove box, obviously no water in a glovebox. And it was even lower on the left side, so an internal fuse box wasn't touched. A water was mixed of snow, rain, and salt water from a bay... I live on an island in NJ and we had major flooding from a recent storm.

[vibrologist]

Welcome to GenVibe, and at the same time I am sorry for the ordeal you are going through. Indeed, with salt involved you will have a continuing problem with corrosion. There is a good chance this will become a money pit. But here are some hints that could help;

Take the interior out completely: seats, carpet, door panels....the works. It is not difficult just time consuming. Wash everything with mild soap water, rinse it off with clean water, rinse electrical stuff off with distilled water. Thoroughly dry everything.
Find a junk yard with Vibe/ Matrix/ Corolla in stock. Buy electrical parts: Alternator, starter, sensors, etc
Take the car to a wash and do a complete wash of the engine bay to get rid of the salt.
Replace the transmission range sensor.
Clean any electrical contacts and harnesses yo can find under the hood.
Buy an OBD II scan tool at Harbour Freight or some other place. You will need it often.

You can wash electronics with water, than rinse with distilled water and thoroughly dry it before you put any voltage on it. There is a good chance it survives, but don't blame me if it doesn't. Electronics cleaner is also an option but a bit expensive and not as effective on salt.

Good luck, man! you will be an expert if it works out.

[mxrx]

virologist, appreciate your advices!

Now, the range sensor, is it accessible from under the car? Does anyone have a good manual for replacing that part?
Thanks.

[Derf]

Remove the interior completely, although you are having engine troubles, the AC/DC power inverter, airbag control module and audio amp (if monsoon package) are under the seats, having them go under water, with even a hint of salt will lead to significant issues down the road. You will also want to remove the kick panels, there are a number of connectors under the kickpanels on both sides of the Vibe, they will need cleaned. The brackish water that flooded the vehicle will slowly corrode the connectors, short of a full teardown, you will have a good amount of time invested cleaning, the sooner the better. Agree on the distilled water, contact or electrical cleaner is fine for tarnish and dirt, but will not remove salts or oily residue from the flood water. Pictures will help. Any details on how far the rear went under water?

[mxrx]

The box under the drivers sears is an airbag module, right? Will replace it.

And the inverter, not sure if I have seen it that under the seat, what is the exact location? Will need to replace this one too.

For now will focus on cleaning all the connectors from corrosion.

[mxrx]

And on the rear end water touched seats bench. Any connectors to look there? A fuel pump is there.

[ColonelPanic]

The inverter for the AC outlet is the box under the driver's seat.

The air bag control module is right in the center of the car on top of the trans tunnel near the firewall. You'll have to remove the shifter console to get to it.

[vibrologist]

They don't call it transmission range sensor. They call it Neutral safety switch. It is on the trans axle where the shift cable comes in. It looks like this:

neutral safety swithch.jpg (25.21 KiB) Viewed 4846 times

[mxrx]

I cleaned most of the connectors from corrosion and then I started the car today, it only runs up to 2000 rpm and the fuel gauge shows that the tank is empty... did I break something?

[vibrologist]

The '05 Vibe has a drive by wire pedal. Maybe the pedal electronics are affected.

The tank's sending unit may be affected.

Of course, always check connectors first.

[mxrx]

I suspect that the car went to a "limp mode" due to a "low level of gas", however tank is half full.

[vibrologist]

I don't think it switches into limp mode because of low fuel. I never heard of that. But I had never experienced limp mode in any car.

Here some info:http://grego.ca/limp.htm

I am still thinking that the computer does not get all the signals it needs, or that the signals are logically impossible because there are shorts. cleaning connectors and replacing sensors should eventually fix it. If you can get sensors from a junk yard car (one that did not get flooded) you should meke good progress on the path of eliminating potential causes.

Your situation seems to go along with this:

COMPUTER CONTROLLED THROTTLE BODY LIMP HOME MODE
Many newer vehicles have a "drive by wire" throttle. This means there is no cable or linkage directly linking the accelerator pedal to the throttle.


The manufacturer goes to great lengths to program electronic throttle control to be just like the old style throttle as far as the driver is concerned.

The limp home mode on electronic throttle control WITHOUT a mechanical backup system like the SAAB above, is to hold the engine at a high idle. This idle will be high enough to "limp home" at 30-40 MPH, but obviously can't be driven much before repair.

That's why I suggest you look into the DBW system at the pedal.

And I think your fuel level signal is a completely separate issue.

I suppose you changed the fluids after the flooding? I think I would do that even though the chance for water to get into the crank case, cooling system or the transmission is low.

[lannvouivre]

Also lift up the bottom of the back seat and clean the connectors on your fuel pump and fuel sender. In fact, I'd recommend cleaning all the connectors and drying them if they were below water level. There's also a chance that water got into the automatic transmission via the vent tube, so a drain and fill may be a good idea.

[mxrx]

Got bunch of fault codes on OBD:

P0138
O2 sensor circuit high voltage (bank 1, sensor 2)

P0453
Evaporiate emission control system pressure
Sensor/switch high input

P0606
ECM/PCM processor fault

P2111
Throttle actual control system - stuck open

[BenWA]

I don't think it switches into limp mode because of low fuel. I never heard of that. But I had never experienced limp mode in any car.

I can say for sure I did on a 1997 Ford E150 conversion van (Triton 4.6L V8). It had sprung a leak in a METAL coolant line and overheated. I was less than a mile from home and it felt like it bucked really hard and would only go 20mph. It was overheating! I turned off a side street and stopped. Being so close to time (about 3/4 of a mile) I was like... well, it's probably wrecked already. I did let it cool about 10 mins but it didn't help. (I didn't know then it had NO coolant). Once I got it home and it cooled down overnight, I found it totally void of coolant. I took the garden hose and filled it up. Crossing my fingers, I started it up and it was fine. The engine had saved itself by going into limp mode, running on 4 of the 8 cyls somehow. It uses the other 4 for air cooling. I had the coolant line replaced and it never gave me an ounce more trouble.

[vibrologist]

Read again, BenWa: we talk about FUEL, not coolant.

[vibrologist]

Got bunch of fault codes on OBD:

P0138
O2 sensor circuit high voltage (bank 1, sensor 2)

P0453
Evaporiate emission control system pressure
Sensor/switch high input

P0606
ECM/PCM processor fault

P2111
Throttle actual control system - stuck open

You have more cleaning to do. Also check all the vacuum hoses. You may have to replace some EVAP stuff. Be systematic, keep a detailed note book so you know what you already did. Read up on auto electric. EricTheCarGuy has some good introductory videos.

I admire you for your persistence!