Whats up everyone. I am in need for some technical advice about my girls 97 civic LX.

This past sunday we were driving to the mall. To our surprise we go in this tunnel and the fricken 3 lanes of the tunnel was completely flooded. I drove through it thinking i would be able to make it. at the very end of the puddle the car shuts down. I knew it was not going to be my day.

Anyways. I did all of the things needed. Took the plugs out of the engine, cranked it over to get some of the water out. Let it sit over night. tried this morning...nada. The engine cranks about 6 times then stops. Then i try to crank the engine again...nothing but a loud beep. Checked to see if the plugs even had a spark...nothing. Fully charged the battery back up to try to crank it...nothing. I have a feeling its hydrolocked but since it cranks over every so often I have reason to believe it is somewhat electrical. Somthing has shorted out and is not giving me a spark. I have possible reasons to believe the starter could also possibly be bad.

Any suggestions from the veteran civic owners out there that have possibly delt with a similar situation?

thanks,

Josh-

 

Is the ECU wet behind the passenger's front kick panel?

 

hmm I have not checked the ECU yet.

 

checked the ECU...its dry.

 

Check for blown fuses in the hood and dash fuse boxes. Is there battery voltage a both starter terminals with the key in ON(III).

 

How do I check this? I have a little Volt Meter, would I use this?

 

The top of each fuse has two small metal test tabs for you voltmeter. Both tabs at the top of hood fuses should have battery voltage to body ground. The same is true for dash fuses when the key is in ON(II). The test is done with the fuse installed.

If a fuse has voltage on one tab but not the other, then the fuse is bad. If neither test tab has voltage, then the fuse does not receive power. Post your results.

 

Water and electricity do not go well together. A flooded car should have the battery disconnected until it dries out completely (which may be never for some parts). Getting into deep water is usually a total loss due to the failure of most electrical parts.

With the key off, try turning the engine by hand to see if it is locked. Put a socket wrench on the crank bolt and turn counterclockwise. Always turn counterclockwise that's the direction it normally rotates. You may have sucked water in from the intake, if stock intake check for water in the air filter box.

The plugs will not spark unless the engine is rotating.

 

check the distributer cap and rotor...... actually, just go ahead and buy new plugs,plug wires, distributer cap and rotor. they're quite cheap and common problems

 

yeah I am looking to replace the plugs,wires, cap and rotor...hopefully something may happen then. Also as for turning the engine manually...how do I go about doing that? Where is the crankbolt located on the car? I have a pretty good idea where its at, just wondering how do I get to it.

I am also going to head to Autozone to rent one of those CEL scanners and see what kind of codes it brings up. May also help me to locate the problem.