HELP: Hydroplaned today and now car won't start
 

I was driving to work, and hydroplaned into the grass and down a small hill. I got stuck in the mud in a small ditch. So I got someone to pull me out, and now it wont start. Seemed like the battery was dead, so we got jumper cables. It started to turn over but wouldn't completely start. Only time it would, was when I would pump the gas pedal and it would die after I let off the gas. And there seemed to be a small rattling sound. Then we waited a little while and tried again and it won't even crank now. I've been told there is a fuel pump reset button or a computer reset button u have to hit when the car is shaken like that. Is this true? Any help?

do u have a varaam?

yes i do

Did you check and make sure everything is OK underneath the car? There could be damage from your off-road excursion.

If everything looks fine try disconnecting the battery for a minute.

There should be a fuel pump shut off, and that may be tripped.

I too have heard that on cars... not sure about if/where it is on a vette but yes some cars have that to stop a fireball if you are in an accident

Where is the fuel pump shut off located?

Do you have a modified cold air intake? How much rain was there? Is it possible you got water up the intake?

it is a vararam. There was quite a bit of water, would a clogged intake cause it not to even crank?

I would certainly check that. There is the potential for water in the engine.

The fuel pump won't keep the car from cranking. If it isn't operating properly it will keep the engine from firing and running on its own but has nothing to do with cranking with the starter. The car does not have a carb on it so pumping the gas pedal is an exercise in futility. If you hold the gas pedal to the floor that will put the system into clear flood mode and shut off fuel flow while you crank the engine to clear gas out of the cylinders.

I would be concerned that the engine could be hydro locked. A Vararam is a lot more susceptible to sucking water into the intake than the stock intake. If you threw up a wall of water in front of the car when you hit the water you hydroplaned in you could have driven right into it and sucked water into the intake. Cranking the engine over without clearing water out of the intake could have gotten water in the cylinders which would lock the engine so the starter couldn't turn it over.

Bill

ah...
 

If you picked up a LOT of water.. It could Hydrolock... not good.. You should have it check out before you do damage... or more damage.. :thumbs: :cheers:

If that is the case, what will get rid of the water in the cylinders?

You can pull all 8 spark plugs... and try to crank... Make sure intake is NOT full of water..

Pull the spark plugs and see if water comes out. Then crank the engine to see if you can force some out. If you are lucky there won't be any water in the cylinders. If you are less lucky and find water then maybe it didn't do any damage. Even less lucky and you will be talking to your insurance company about a comprehensive claim to replace the engine.

Bill

The best mechanic you can find? This is way beyond my pay grade.

So pulling the spark plugs and clearing the water out should cure the problem? A local mechanic is supposed to be doing that this evening.

"IF" you did not do damage.. like internal... WATER does not Compress, it can bend/break things... You will know soon enough... :cheers:

I'm sure there must be more to it than that. I would make sure I had it gone through by a knowledgeable mechanic. You are likely going to need a new air filter, amongst other stuff.

Pull your plugs, crank it a few times and you should see water shooting out... Good luck