Help, Wife drove through Puddle and car wont start now... - Benzworld.org

Blackvette · 08-19-2008, 09:08 PM

She drove through a very deep puddle after Tropical Storm Fay... She told me The car stalled and wont start again..

I went to get the car.. I put the key in the ignition and turned it.. Nothing happens.. No click.. the starter makes no attempt to engage...

Also I noticed that the force of the water pulled off the cover in the front side of the driver side wheel well.. There is some electronic (Pump?) stuff exposed there.. Did not look too long as it was pouring rain on us..

Even if the motor ingested water and it was hydrolocked.. The starter would still try to engage...

Any ideas? I have it home now waiting for the storm to pass and dry out...

Oh, its a 2007 C230..

rudedude · 08-19-2008, 10:05 PM

First thing to check is the battery. She may have turned on the flashers as many people do when they are broke down in the road. The battery may be dead. After that remove the air cleaner and make sure everything is dry in there

RKH · 08-19-2008, 10:29 PM

Don't turn anything ON until everything is DRY.
While water usually will not damage the electronics (except for corrosion), it WILL short thing out if you power ON and $$$. Better yet, disconnect or remove the battery all together and wait for the hot Florida sun to dry it out.

FrankW · 08-20-2008, 02:18 AM

like RKH said. wait till everything dried out first before trying again. worse comes worse just call the roadside assistance and tell them you have no idea what happened that the car just won't start. if it's still under warranty the battery should be free. if replacing the battery doesn't work just have them arrange it to get it towed back to the dealership. just make sure you put the wheel well cover back on and leave them no reason to believe it's man made issue from going through the puddle.

wblynch · 08-20-2008, 10:45 AM

Check the front SAM (fuse/relay box) in the engine compartment on the driver's side.

It may have filled with water and needs to be dried out. There is a splash shield over it and then a clipped-on cover.

Don't try to operate the car until you know that box is dried out. Check all your fuses while you're at it.

Blackvette · 08-21-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankW

like RKH said. wait till everything dried out first before trying again. worse comes worse just call the roadside assistance and tell them you have no idea what happened that the car just won't start. if it's still under warranty the battery should be free. if replacing the battery doesn't work just have them arrange it to get it towed back to the dealership. just make sure you put the wheel well cover back on and leave them no reason to believe it's man made issue from going through the puddle.

Thanks guys, Actually I caled the insuance company..I am covered.. It was flatbedded back to the dealer last night.. Hope to hear shortly what the problem is...