90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.

I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.

I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that
slope.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf

If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
..

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote
> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in
> a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around.
> I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into
> my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car
> ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then
> died.
>
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three
> days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it
> isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
>
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in
> the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled
> onto that
> slope.
>
> Any advice greatly appreciated.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf

If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
..

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote
> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in
> a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around.
> I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into
> my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car
> ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then
> died.
>
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three
> days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it
> isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
>
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in
> the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled
> onto that
> slope.
>
> Any advice greatly appreciated.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf

If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
..

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote
> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in
> a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around.
> I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into
> my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car
> ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then
> died.
>
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three
> days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it
> isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
>
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in
> the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled
> onto that
> slope.
>
> Any advice greatly appreciated.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf

If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
..

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote
> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in
> a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around.
> I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into
> my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car
> ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then
> died.
>
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three
> days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it
> isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
>
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in
> the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled
> onto that
> slope.
>
> Any advice greatly appreciated.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:56:37 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
>ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
>computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
>casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
>footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
>driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
>An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
>http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf
>
>If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
>directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
>.

Thanks. I think the Check Engine light was coming on it normally does.
There was a little water in the passenger side but the real water was
in the driver side. That's the way the car was tilting in the spot.

I'm at work now so can't check the car but I will when I get home
later. I'm not much good at car repair (I'm a software guy and this is
hardware) but I can likely see if a sparkplug is firing.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:56:37 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
>ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
>computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
>casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
>footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
>driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
>An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
>http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf
>
>If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
>directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
>.

Thanks. I think the Check Engine light was coming on it normally does.
There was a little water in the passenger side but the real water was
in the driver side. That's the way the car was tilting in the spot.

I'm at work now so can't check the car but I will when I get home
later. I'm not much good at car repair (I'm a software guy and this is
hardware) but I can likely see if a sparkplug is firing.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:56:37 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
>ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
>computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
>casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
>footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
>driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
>An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
>http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf
>
>If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
>directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
>.

Thanks. I think the Check Engine light was coming on it normally does.
There was a little water in the passenger side but the real water was
in the driver side. That's the way the car was tilting in the spot.

I'm at work now so can't check the car but I will when I get home
later. I'm not much good at car repair (I'm a software guy and this is
hardware) but I can likely see if a sparkplug is firing.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:56:37 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>Is the Check Engine Light on for two seconds after the
>ignition is turned on? If not, the ECU (engine/electronic
>computer/control unit) is suspect. With water this deep, one
>casualty is often the ECU. It is located in the passenger
>footwell, about a few inches above the floor... Perhaps upon
>driving onto the slope, water in it sloshed around further.
>An ECU test procedure for your Accord appears at
>http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m.../400/6-152.pdf
>
>If the ECU seems okay, next check for spark and fuel per the
>directions at http://tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html
>.

Thanks. I think the Check Engine light was coming on it normally does.
There was a little water in the passenger side but the real water was
in the driver side. That's the way the car was tilting in the spot.

I'm at work now so can't check the car but I will when I get home
later. I'm not much good at car repair (I'm a software guy and this is
hardware) but I can likely see if a sparkplug is firing.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...

> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
>Any advice greatly appreciated.

When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.

A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...

> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
>Any advice greatly appreciated.

When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.

A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...

> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
>Any advice greatly appreciated.

When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.

A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...

> 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
>Any advice greatly appreciated.

When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.

A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Burt wrote:
>
> "dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...
>
> > 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> > water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> > off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> > driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> > 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> > I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> > still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> > dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> > I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> > line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
> >Any advice greatly appreciated.
>
> When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
> conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
> corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.
>
> A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
> parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
> from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
> car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.



There are companies that specialize in rehabbing "drowned" cars to the
extent that they do as you suggested over a period of days (depending on
the severity of the dunking) and check engines, trannies, brake systems
for water infiltration etc.

Time is of the essence here if damage was caused by salt water. If the
vehicle was dunked in fresh water, time is not so important regarding
the engine as I've seen cars revived after sitting for ten years. It's
a messy process however...

JT

Re: 90 Accord got flooded - won't start after 3 days. Help.
 

Burt wrote:
>
> "dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:jt888296sharhjhtd0omjs6491ujkg9sln@4ax.com...
>
> > 92000 miles. I came home the other day to find the car in a foot of
> > water, three inches inside. It started, I drove it around. I turned it
> > off and a bit later it started. It ran until I pulled into my
> > driveway, which is about a 40 degree angle down. The car ran another
> > 30 seconds or so while I was bailing out water, and then died.
> > I had it towed out and placed on level ground but three days later it
> > still won't start. It has rained each day though so it isn't getting
> > dry. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.
> > I guess either wires/spark plugs are wet? Or water got in the fuel
> > line? I can't figure why it worked fine until I pulled onto that slope.
> >Any advice greatly appreciated.
>
> When ever the car is water flooded the ECU is protected by its
> conformal coating which is design for this purpose. It's the
> corrosion elsewhere that can fry the ECU.
>
> A word of advice. Whenever the car is flooded, the access panel from
> parts should be removed and the parts dried quickly after being removed
> from water. Don't start the car. A large fan on the engine bay and on the
> car's interior should do the trick, but peel back those carpets.



There are companies that specialize in rehabbing "drowned" cars to the
extent that they do as you suggested over a period of days (depending on
the severity of the dunking) and check engines, trannies, brake systems
for water infiltration etc.

Time is of the essence here if damage was caused by salt water. If the
vehicle was dunked in fresh water, time is not so important regarding
the engine as I've seen cars revived after sitting for ten years. It's
a messy process however...

JT