biturbine

Drove the car, parked it at 3pm, major storm at 5pm, 7pm storm was over. Storm caused a Huge tree branch to come crashing down near my car, no physical damage.

The car starts up but it then dies after 15sec, like it is running out of fuel. Fuel gauge shows empty but I filled up the car today so it should be close to full. No smell of fuel so it did not leak fuel.

Wondering if the crashing of the tree caused fuel cut?

I disconnected the battery with no luck, it still does not run properly. I can not accelerate at all.

Any suggestions on getting it working properly?

Skylaw

The "Usual suspects" would be crank position sensor or mass airflow sensor - but I am thinking of one more possibility. I'll admit this is an educated "WAG." Check the air intake grille in front of the passenger side of the windscreen. Is it full of water/ Do you have water on the floor? If so, you may have damage to a SAM (Signal Acquisition Module) from water.

The signal acquisition modules take and routes signals from all kinds of sensors, to all kinds of things that need to use the signals. Your engine controls seem screwed up, and you know your fuel tank indication is wrong. That's why I suspect a SAM. And one recurring cause of SAM problems is water leakage. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...water-car.html

The other thing that will happen if water remained in the air intake is you will hear your A/C fan running, but get very little air circulation. Once the water is drained, that will cure itself in a few hours - but a damaged SAM won't.

Good luck. I may be way off base - we'd like to hear what you found.

biturbine

Thanks for the reply.

There was water in the engine compartment air intake close to the passenger. It was about 3" high. I cleared the drain plug which was blocked and now the water is gone.

I also checked the fuse box under the rt rear seat and the undercarriage including the fuse box is exposed to water. I can hear the zapping current going through it. Disconnected the battery right away.

Any idea how to drain this?

Any other ideas?

Car starts but then dies after 15sec, fuel gauge show low as well all electronics are screwed up.

The SAM may be the problem, how can I tell for sure....

Or the fuse box as it is exposed to water....

Skylaw

With rear fuse box involvement, you likely have other electronic module problems. Likely one or more SAMs (there are several, in different locations and numbers, in different models from year to year). Signs of a screwed up SAM are controls and indicators (like your fuel gauge and engine sensors/computers) that will not work; and they will be multiple. If you are extremely lucky, it was just fuses - but not likely. Sorry to give you bad news.

Siphon out any standing water, use towels to mop up. Then, take the fuses out, and use a hair dryer to blow out the fuse box. Check and replace fuses. You may need to do some resets (see post #14 at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...st2216730.html) - but if that doesn't work, it's best to see your dealer or a very good independent.

biturbine

Wow, this could be costly. Wondering if something like this is covered by my insurance?

Skylaw

Depends on the language of your policy. Read it carefully before calling, and see what it says. If it seems to have language covering the damage under "comprehensive" coverage, question them if they initially say you're not covered.

It will probably be important to stress that this came from heavy rainfall - not driving through flooding. Unless, of course, your drove through flooding.

You might even refer them to the post that had pictures of the problem area. In fact, take better pictures of your own, especially of the air intake and the fuse panel.

SAMs are about $1000 each. If water ran back under the front seat, you could have damage to a front and a rear SAM.

LAWYER2

WOW
sorry about your luck!.........please keep us update with what happens

biturbine

Thanks for the responses.

Car is at the shop, they will let me know what the damage is. Insurance says they cover damage from heavy rainfall....

LAWYER2

what ever happened?