SL 320 1995 Wont Crank (flooded up to the roof)

[eisenmann]

Hi guys, i have a SL 320 1995 (RHD) flooded up to the roof, battery still connected because nobody at home. After cleaning all modules, i tried to crank the car, but nothing happen.

Tried to jump start the motor starter, car will crank but no power to fuel pump. i guess the immobiliser blocked the power...

The car alarm didn't work, so I decided to look for the alarm and immobiliser module. Found 3pcs module behind the instrument cluster:
1. JM1121MGA (alarm siren control module)
2. 1668052801 (immobiliser control module)
3. 2108203226 (central locking module)

Trying to find the alarm control module, but cant find it (behind passenger airbag, passenger footwell, and at the trunk). does alarm control module exist in this car?

are there a way to check the ignition switch and gear selector?


Thank you

 

[Flyinspanner]

So car was fully submerged?

is it now 100% dry?

if not maybe have it taken to a paint shop who have an “oven” and leave it in there for 48hrs all doors windows open, remove mats, carpets, and place a fan or 2 to blow into boot/through cabin to aid drying.

then unplug sams, spray connectors etc as best you can.

it may have ruined some items, let’s hope you get lucky.

 

[Craiglxviii]

As FS above. That’s literally the best one can hope for.

 

[eisenmann]

So car was fully submerged?

is it now 100% dry?

if not maybe have it taken to a paint shop who have an “oven” and leave it in there for 48hrs all doors windows open, remove mats, carpets, and place a fan or 2 to blow into boot/through cabin to aid drying.

then unplug sams, spray connectors etc as best you can.

it may have ruined some items, let’s hope you get lucky.

Yes, fully submerged maybe for almost a day. It should be dry, because it happened in january...

Thanks for advices

 

[Blobcat]

Yes, fully submerged maybe for almost a day. It should be dry, because it happened in january...

Thanks for advices

It might be "dry" but the water will have corroded pretty much every connection and circuit board in the car.

What "water" was it?

If it was flood water then every insurance company will write it off because of the risk of disease.

If you've just bought the car as a "project" then good luck as that will be one time consuming piece of work.

 

[star]

Just put an engine in a GLE, due to flooding, all the control units and wiring were corroded.

 

[LostKiwi]

If you don't have one get a dehumidifier and put it in the car. The amount of water that can hide inside a vehicle is astounding.
Also disconnect the battery until the dehumidifier stops pulling out water. Electricity plus water encourages corrosion.

 

[eisenmann]

It might be "dry" but the water will have corroded pretty much every connection and circuit board in the car.

What "water" was it?

If it was flood water then every insurance company will write it off because of the risk of disease.

If you've just bought the car as a "project" then good luck as that will be one time consuming piece of work.

It was flood water... vehicle insurance in my country only accepts vehicles from 2010 and above

The car is my uncle's car

 

[ajlsl600]

Good luck with that.in my view that car will always be electrically unreliable unless near all electrical control units changed. If get it going ,I would sell it and if you are a fan of the car,buy another.

 

[mioba]

If you are hell bent on getting this sorted then you need patience and time.

Park the car in the sunshine and open every door and the bonnet.

Disconnect everthing electrical possible what you can find and make a note, Spray every connection and leave it for a few days at least.

Hope you have big private drive where this is possible. Althernative use your garage if posisble with a dehumidifier. Best is if if you can do this outside as s breeze of wind will help.

Ideally you will want to lift the carpets as they will be holding moisture.

Have you even tested the starter battery as that would have shorted probably if water got in.

GREAT LUCK AND KEEP US POSTED !

 

[LostKiwi]

If using a dehumidifier it needs to be a sealed environment otherwise you're just pulling moisture from the global atmosphere. Something like a carcoon is ideal but not cheap.
The biggest issue you will have us moisture that gets trapped under electronic components mounted on circuit boards.
The only way to remove this water is:
1. Dehumidifier to draw the water out.
2. Lift every component to dry them
3. Replace modules
4. Soak in a contact cleaning solution to wash it out.

 

[Craiglxviii]

The other problem is water wicking up inside cable harnesses, either between or inside the conductors. There is no resolution for that beyond replacement.

 

[eisenmann]

Good luck with that.in my view that car will always be electrically unreliable unless near all electrical control units changed. If get it going ,I would sell it and if you are a fan of the car,buy another.

The car is my uncle's favourite, the car has only been running for 2000 miles...

If you are hell bent on getting this sorted then you need patience and time.

Park the car in the sunshine and open every door and the bonnet.

Disconnect everthing electrical possible what you can find and make a note, Spray every connection and leave it for a few days at least.

Hope you have big private drive where this is possible. Althernative use your garage if posisble with a dehumidifier. Best is if if you can do this outside as s breeze of wind will help.

Ideally you will want to lift the carpets as they will be holding moisture.

Have you even tested the starter battery as that would have shorted probably if water got in.

GREAT LUCK AND KEEP US POSTED !

Already lift the carpet... And the dashboard, climates, electrical.. open the modules and spray it with contact cleaner.

Stater battery is the first to be replaced..

If using a dehumidifier it needs to be a sealed environment otherwise you're just pulling moisture from the global atmosphere. Something like a carcoon is ideal but not cheap.
The biggest issue you will have us moisture that gets trapped under electronic components mounted on circuit boards.
The only way to remove this water is:
1. Dehumidifier to draw the water out.
2. Lift every component to dry them
3. Replace modules
4. Soak in a contact cleaning solution to wash it out.

I will try to put dehumidifier in the car.. i think replacing the module is the best solution

The other problem is water wicking up inside cable harnesses, either between or inside the conductors. There is no resolution for that beyond replacement.

Noted


Has anyone replaced the immo module? Do we need sync to the ecu?

 

[Botus]

this will be ongoing problem for years at best.... unless you throw many thousands in new computer modules and its dried thoroughly first.

it could have 50 computer modules that all need replacing, plus the comand, instrument cluster screen, all the airbags, heater system, every engine sensor, door cards, roof lining - you could be down >15k and still nothing works

 

[Craiglxviii]

this will be ongoing problem for years at best.... unless you throw many thousands in new computer modules and its dried thoroughly first.

it could have 50 computer modules that all need replacing, plus the comand, instrument cluster screen, all the airbags, heater system, every engine sensor, door cards, roof lining - you could be down >15k and still nothing works

Yep. Exactly. If this was a 50 year old fully mechanical car, it would be a far easier fix in many ways.

 

[LostKiwi]

this will be ongoing problem for years at best.... unless you throw many thousands in new computer modules and its dried thoroughly first.

it could have 50 computer modules that all need replacing, plus the comand, instrument cluster screen, all the airbags, heater system, every engine sensor, door cards, roof lining - you could be down >15k and still nothing works

It's a 129. Not THAT many ECUs but they are expensive....

Roof control for example is the thick end of £1000.

OP, your best bet is to find an accident damaged car to use as a donor then do a full strip and rebuild using donor parts.

As the engine has been submerged you may have internal damage if a valve was open (which it certainly will have been). Before attempting to start the engine remove all spark plugs and turn over by hand then if that's ok use the starter to eject anything that may be in the cylinders. Obviously drain and refill with fresh oil before anything else on the engine.

 

[ajlsl600]

Yep. Exactly. If this was a 50 year old fully mechanical car, it would be a far easier fix in many ways.

I rest my case, ref today's disposable cars... As per LK. Get it in a big bag with dehumidifier with only access for drain and power. Keep going till some days after nothing coming out. If you gont get a result, I personally would throw no more cash at it. Could almost bankrupt you and certainly exceed any future sale revenue.. I have seen Benz written off after going thru river fords and flooding floors.

 

[Botus]

if an auto, the gearbox and TC may be toast

 

[00slk]

Look for another 129 and rebuild your uncles car using the dry and sound parts.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Look for another 129, remove the registration plates from your uncles car and slide the replacement car underneath them as a quality fix.

Well said sir!