Bought a flooder, having a few electrical issues
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
Bought a flooder, having a few electrical issues
So I just bought this from Copart, a 2010 convertible with 22000 miles that was flooded. It had a 4 inch water line in the carpet,( fresh water).It had not been started and showed to be about a quart over full on the dipstick.
I brought it home and got it in the air and found... no water in rear end...no water in tranny...pulled the oil plug and less than a quart of pure water came out then clean oil...
I pulled the spark plugs, no water came out, but a couple plugs showed signs of water.. I blew out all the cylinders and did get a little water coming out of the cylinders so I sprayed wd40 down all cylinders, let soak then cranked engine over..
I changed the oil and spark plugs and fired up the engine.. It took three attempts to get it started. After it ran for a few minutes it smoothed out and sounded good.
The next day, I took it for a drive and the check engine light came on.. the only issue I had was the cooling fan was not coming on..Everything else worked...I was so happy that I was driving this totaled out flooder one day after I bought it..
Today, I ran into a problem, my doors wont open, windows don't work, door locks not working.. They all quit working at the same time, so I feel like the problem is a bad connection somewhere. Any ideas anyone?
I brought it home and got it in the air and found... no water in rear end...no water in tranny...pulled the oil plug and less than a quart of pure water came out then clean oil...
I pulled the spark plugs, no water came out, but a couple plugs showed signs of water.. I blew out all the cylinders and did get a little water coming out of the cylinders so I sprayed wd40 down all cylinders, let soak then cranked engine over..
I changed the oil and spark plugs and fired up the engine.. It took three attempts to get it started. After it ran for a few minutes it smoothed out and sounded good.
The next day, I took it for a drive and the check engine light came on.. the only issue I had was the cooling fan was not coming on..Everything else worked...I was so happy that I was driving this totaled out flooder one day after I bought it..
Today, I ran into a problem, my doors wont open, windows don't work, door locks not working.. They all quit working at the same time, so I feel like the problem is a bad connection somewhere. Any ideas anyone?
Last edited by wolfgang896; Jul 2, 2013 at 07:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,376
Likes: 4
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Start checking grounds, get yourself a nice brass wire brush to clean every ground. Next the PCM or BCM may have gotten wet.
Fingers crossed you it's an easy fix, but this is the risk you take buying a flooder.
Fingers crossed you it's an easy fix, but this is the risk you take buying a flooder.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 721
Likes: 36
oh boy.
I hope it is not a can bus problem--if it is then oh boy.
Go ahead and buy a complete wiring manual for the model/trim of the car--you are going to need it.
Once electricity starts going through the wires again.....
remember the car may be dry--but the wiring harness isnt--even if that part of the harness didnt even see water. You have wicking and condensation problems to look out for.
Good luck!
I hope it is not a can bus problem--if it is then oh boy.
Go ahead and buy a complete wiring manual for the model/trim of the car--you are going to need it.
Once electricity starts going through the wires again.....
remember the car may be dry--but the wiring harness isnt--even if that part of the harness didnt even see water. You have wicking and condensation problems to look out for.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
I just checked for power at the door switch and i'm not getting a full 12 volts, I am assuming its a bad ground somewhere.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 2
From: Orlando/Tampa Florida
You need to check the power distribution panel under the passengers carpet. Remove all the electronics and clean off all electronics with electrical contact cleaner. There is a good chance all electronics under the carpet are still under water.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
I pulled the seats and carpet today, the felt padding was still wet, everything else was dry and clean.. I pulled the bcm and see no signs of corrosion at all. Water did go half way up the bcm though..
Last edited by wolfgang896; Jul 4, 2013 at 05:02 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 2
From: "Cedar Valley" (Northeastern) Iowa
So how did the water get into the engine oil? Your wheel bearings will likely go soon....if you ever getting it going down the road.
I hope ya bought it real cheap....ya might make it back as a parts car.
I hope ya bought it real cheap....ya might make it back as a parts car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 2
From: Orlando/Tampa Florida
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
I don't know how water got in the engine, it was either running and ingested it or it leaked in somehow.
I've already driven the car the day after I bought it.
It's far from a parts car, I have driven flood cars my whole life and never had any issues after they are properly serviced..
I got it cheap enough to be able to fix a few problems and not worry about it..
I came in here asking a question about an electrical issue, why would you be worried my wheel bearings or how much I payed for the car and then tell me I basically bought a parts car?
From my experience, most people that are afraid of flood cars have never owned one and don't have a clue about them..only repeating the horror stories they have read on the internet from people that don't know what they are buying or how to repair them..
Last edited by wolfgang896; Jul 2, 2013 at 10:46 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
That's right, you can be the golden exception to the rule, what with the lack of electrical issues and all.
Luckily, the price difference in price can be offset by the lack of potential problems, the clear carfax, and the fact that you don't have to worry about a flood vehicle.
Luckily, the price difference in price can be offset by the lack of potential problems, the clear carfax, and the fact that you don't have to worry about a flood vehicle.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
That's right, you can be the golden exception to the rule, what with the lack of electrical issues and all.
Luckily, the price difference in price can be offset by the lack of potential problems, the clear carfax, and the fact that you don't have to worry about a flood vehicle.
Luckily, the price difference in price can be offset by the lack of potential problems, the clear carfax, and the fact that you don't have to worry about a flood vehicle.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
Are you able to get into the car with the key at this point (manual entry)?
I'd start with pulling the trouble codes (maybe see if someone has a tech II or a good code reader that can pull the codes from the BCM).
Also, like one poster above mentioned; make sure you pull every fuse and relay from the fuse block on the passenger floorboard (after taking a picture or making a diagram so you can remember what goes where of course
) and check for water damage there.
You may have a problem with the fob system and not with the door locks at all.
I wish you the best of luck; these cars can probably give even the most experienced with flooders a pretty big headache.
I'd start with pulling the trouble codes (maybe see if someone has a tech II or a good code reader that can pull the codes from the BCM).
Also, like one poster above mentioned; make sure you pull every fuse and relay from the fuse block on the passenger floorboard (after taking a picture or making a diagram so you can remember what goes where of course
) and check for water damage there.You may have a problem with the fob system and not with the door locks at all.
I wish you the best of luck; these cars can probably give even the most experienced with flooders a pretty big headache.
Last edited by sevinn; Jul 3, 2013 at 12:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
Yes, the windows are in the down position, do you know if autozone would be able to pull the codes? Thanks...
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
Getting the codes pulled at autozone would certainly be a great starting point. If that doesn't get you anywhere, you could pay a dealer to pull all of them for you.
All of this hinges on you being able to get the car ignition to the "on" position by holding the bottom of the start button for a few seconds.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
They would be able to pull the standard OBD codes, but some may be missed that only a licensed scanner ($$$$) like a tech II or some of the snapon professional code readers can. As far as I know, I may be wrong in this of course so if someone knows for sure please correct me, the standard OBD readers won't pick up any BCM codes.
Getting the codes pulled at autozone would certainly be a great starting point. If that doesn't get you anywhere, you could pay a dealer to pull all of them for you.
All of this hinges on you being able to get the car ignition to the "on" position by holding the bottom of the start button for a few seconds.
Getting the codes pulled at autozone would certainly be a great starting point. If that doesn't get you anywhere, you could pay a dealer to pull all of them for you.
All of this hinges on you being able to get the car ignition to the "on" position by holding the bottom of the start button for a few seconds.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 91
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix Arizona
I think people are just curious, warning you of potential problems and not hating. I myself was curious what one would pay for a flooded Corvette. I hope you get it all fixed up. It is nice looking.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Orange County CA
Fob battery could be the problem and I know this sounds pretty basic and you have car knowledge but some of the things you mentioned could be related to the car battery. Are you sure the battery is good and charged? You didn't mention it but I assumed you checked that also.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 91
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix Arizona
My car doesn't recognize the fob with a new battery. Our Prius doesn't either all the time. I have been told that it is due to interference which could include garage door openers being used. Try, if you haven't, to press the key fob against the start button to start it. Use it instead of your finger. Try plugging it into the area in the glove box. I think that resets it. Not sure on that.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
As for the price, you can buy a light flooded car like this one for less than half of the book value.