After driving through water car will not stay running

JOSHUA86BOLSTER

MEMBER
2002 SAAB 9-5
2.4L
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

The other day we had a bad rain storm and I drove throw some water and did not think it was that deep, so right away it shuts off the car. So push it out as fast as I can towed the car home and started draining the water out of every where I could of. Now I can get it to turn over for like two seconds then shuts off right away.

7 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

How deep was the water that you drove through? It didn't get sucked into your vehicle's engine through the air intake did it? Please get back to us with the answers and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 10:27 AM

JOSHUA86BOLSTER

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes it did, you can see in the picture how deep it was. After I drain all the water out of the turbo in the air cooler and exhaust out of the I change the plugs. I check to see if the fuel pump was working it was not vary strong so I run a hot wire to the fuel pump it seem stronger. Then I pull the injector out and turned the car over. It seem to me like they are working. The only thing that does not work right that I know of is my key fob. It does not not open the trunk or unlock the doors.

Image (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 2:02 PM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello again,

When you were changing out the spark plugs and had them all out of the engine, did you crank the engine over and shoot the water out of the cylinders? If not you could be getting a condition called hydro lock, in which the water still in your cylinders is killing the engine. This happens because water will not compress. You need to ensure that all the water is out of the cylinders before cranking the engine other wise serious damage can result to the engine in the way of piston ring damage or bent connecting rod(s). Like I said just take all the spark plugs out, all at the same time, and crank the engine. You will know quickly if you still had water in any of the cylinders.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM

JOSHUA86BOLSTER

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes I did. There was vary little come out, but at that time the oil look fine. Now there is water in it.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Saturday, July 20th, 2019 AT 7:14 AM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello again,

Okay, that's good. This could be a problem with your vehicle's Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP). Your vehicle's Power-train Control Module (PCM) or "computer" uses the CKP signal to keep track of where the engine is in it's 4 stroke cycle and takes the information and fires the ignition and fuel injectors off of it. In the diagrams down below I have included instructions for the removal and installation of your vehicle's CKP. Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

Images (Click to make bigger)