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Car won't start - hydro locked, alternator or battery control module
Hello guys,
I'm a victim of Houston flooding. So experts please help !
Last Sunday I was driving on the highway with 50 mph when i entered into a 12-15 inch water puddle with my E500 2004. It was dark and i didn't see it. Suddenly the car stopped into the water. I was not able to start it again. When i turn the key everything electrical works it shows UB:11.3 V when i enter diagnostics menu, the radio works and the windows are able to roll. The key fob works too. However when i try to start the car i hear a "click" noise and tries to turn the engine and it won't start. The air intakes are high enough so i doubt that the water was able to get in. In addition, when i opened the door the water level was under my door so it couldn't get inside the passenger area. On the dash i see the following message : battery protection: conven. functions temporarily unavailable.
Headlt. cornering malfunction
Engine oil level - Visit workshop
on my DVD i see "Battery voltage is too low. Please start the engine. Otherwise COMMAND will switch off in 3 minutes."
What is my problem : Hydro Lock or Alternator or Dead Battery ? Is it possible while entering into the water, i broke the oil tank or less oil means blown engine ?
Last edited by smartstyle; 08-29-2017 at 07:13 PM.
Hydro-locking is a real possibility. The height of water is almost irrelevant as you are creating a wake in front of the car when driving. So water can easily reach the intakes.
I think removing a spark plug will provide some confirmation. If hydro-locked, the car would be totaled. We lost a 2-3 months old SL that way
I lost Bluetec engine this way.
Even I was able to restart the engine after sucking some water, it had bend rod and being occupy with moving at the time, I drove it till the connecting rod show outside the block.
Don't try to turn the engine. Remove all the plugs, charge the battery and then try to turn it. If you are lucky the rod is not bend yet and after oil change you might be good.
Otherwise, welcome to the club of engine seekers.
This morning i have charged both Auxiliary battery and car battery. I started the key and i got no more errors except one red "BREAK ! brake reduced braking effect start the engine"
The car won't start at all and i hear the same click as before. Can the break switch error prevent car from starting or it won't be as simple ?
I ordered iCarsoft MBII device to read the errors. DO you know if iCarsoft MBII will show me the engine condition so i will know its hydro locked ?
The brake message will not disable starting. Do what Krzysztof suggested, pull the plugs and make sure there is no water in the cylinders. Then you will have to investigate with DAS why the engine is not starting. Is the car still on the highway? You should tow it to a shop with DAS, I'm not sure if Carsoft would be able to diagnose the engine especially since you are not getting any errors from the engine or the CEL.
I got a very weird smell of burning plastics from SBC or maybe alternator. I don't know where it comes from. I know that every a defective SBC or break switch won't disable the starting of the car. I might have to take it to the shop with DAS as this MB won't help me a lot. The oil looks pure and i don't think there is oil in the engine. Some relay maybe or something else. I hope to get some info from the iCarsoft MBII
Smell also could be from jammed starter that you are trying to kill.
You are tempting your luck worrying about electrical issues, what very likely is the result, while you are ignoring very probable main problem.
Do you have big wrench to turn the engine by hand?
If so do it and still pulling plugs first is highly recommended.
Ok I have restarted the SBC pump and the error messages are gone.
Can you give me instructions how to try to "turn" start the engine manually ? I know how to remove the spark plugs but should i try to start it from the key or using a wrench trying to turn it ?
Making couple of turns by hand would be safer, but that require big socket for crankshaft bolt, what I remember about 27 mm and than long breaker bar, while gaining the access to the bolt might require additional work.
So easy way would be pull all the plugs and activate starter for short burst few times, meaning turning the knob to start position and immediately turn the ignition off.
Don't let the computer to keep the starter motor running.
You might be better off making a claim against your insurance. If you have comprehensive, flooding should be covered. Even if you do end up getting it running, if you got salt water into the wiring, you may be fighting electrical gremlins years from now as all your wiring slowly rusts away.
08-29-2017, 06:39 PM
Recharged both batteries today
