New to Camaro Forums, was hoping you guys could help. I have a 99 Camaro 3.8L. We had a bad storm the other day, and as I was making my way through a puddle, my car stalled. I had no choice but to sit there for about 15 minutes (the water was right under the bottom of my car) before I could finally push it to dryer ground. I have everything dried out now, just can't get it to start. It keeps trying to start, but it will keep cranking and then backfire once. What would immediately be affected that I could check? Starter, Camshaft Position Sensor, Crankshaft Sensor, etc?

Thanks

 

Usually car engines are meant to take in some water but only some parts of it more than others. I made the mistake of hosing down my engine without covering the iginition coils and alternator and shorted out the alternator(Thank god nothing happened to anything else). Just like your car it wouldnt crank; only stuttered and lights were dim. I did my best to dry up everything but in the end I replaced the alternator, stuck a charger on the battery for awhile and she started up. Im not saying that it must be the alternator but I would get it tested to narrow down the possibilities. Also test the voltage leading to the battery; anything could have shorted out causing the battery to drain almost instantly.

 

if you can have it scanned for codes. could save some big bucks. are you gettin spark to the plugs? are you getting fuel to the cylinders? check your air cleaner to make sure its not soaked. pull the plug wires one at a time and dry the ends. pull any connectors apart that look like they could have gotten wet and dry the insides. oh and whats the fuel gauge say,,, not on e is it. lol. speaking of fuel probly be a good idea to check fuel pressure just to make sure its working.

 

I had my alternator short on me when i drove through a terrible storm once. I let it dry and checked the connections and it was fine after. And definitely check out what craby is saying too. Having it scanned could show if there is a faulty electrical conn. anywhere. If you have a multimeter you could test all the connections that are ignition related too. Start at the power source, ie. the battery and alternator, and work you way through the system.

 

The backfire indicates that some cylinders are getting fuel and spark. However, it may be not happening at the proper time due to the moisture shorting things out. You need to seriously dry things out, especially the ignition stuff, such as the ICM and coil packs. Disconnect the coils from the ICM and see what is under there. A strong hair drier will help a lot.

 

Thanks, I have spark to my coil packs, the battery is fully charged (replaced last year) and the alternator was just replaced last year as well. Is there any chance it could be cam sensor, or would that show up in a code reader? Also I have about a quarter of a tank. I have read its recommended to flush and replace fluids, i.e. oil, trans fluid, etc, but that was only for high flood damage. Is that still recommended?

 

well how deep was this water. your car didnt set in the water? its probly a soaked connection somewhere. there is alot of what ifs here so it could be a number of things. scann would be a good first step

 

Yea, I'll have it scanned tomorrow, and the water was just up to the bottom of my car, I didn't really have a choice but to sit there for about 15 minutes. There was some water displaced or splashed up from semis and trucks passing me.

 

i would change the oil in the rearend for piece of mind. trans and motor should be fine. acually the rearend should be too but if any of its seals are starting to fail they may let water in.

 

Ended up being the spark plugs, they were really muddied up.