Car will not start after driving through a large puddle

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

If the vehicle will not start, it could be a few things. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Now, how long ago did you go through the puddle? Did the engine stall when it happened? How deep was the water? Have you checked fuses under the hood?

Let me know,
Joe

Hi and welcome back:

First, where was the smoke coming from? Next, if it was the starter, remove all the spark plugs and try to crank it with the starter. You may have water in the cylinders causing hydro-static lock. If that's the case, the starter can't turn it.

Let me know.

Joe

If the cylinders are full of water, the starter can't turn the engine. That could cause it to overheat and smoke. You never mentioned where the smoke was coming from.

Welcome back:

That's isn't good. The starter can't turn the engine and I think that's why it's smoking. Are you able to turn the engine from the crankshaft with a ratchet or breaker bar?

Also, since it was in that much water, did you check the oil to make sure it isn't full of water? It should turn really easy with the plugs out because you eliminate the engine's compression. I think I heard someone say they were going to remove the starter. Do that, send me a picture of the gear in the Bendix, and take a flash light and inspect the flywheel teeth that the gear engages with for damage.

If you can turn the motor by hand at the crankshaft and the teeth on the flywheel are in good shape, try a different brand starter. Also, please let me know if this is a 4 cylinder or a v6.

Here are the specific directions for starter install for the 4 cylinder. Read through them to make sure you are getting it together correctly. The first three pics are for this set of directions.

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STARTER - INSTALLATION
2.4L

1. Position the starter to the vehicle.

2. Connect the solenoid wiring harness connector (1) to the starter.

3. Tighten the lower starter mounting bolt (2) to the proper torque specificationsSee: Starting System > Mechanical > Torque Specifications.

4. Connect the B+ wiring harness connector (1) to the starter.

1. Install the half shaft. See: Axle Shaft Assembly > Removal and Replacement.

2. Install the tighten the upper starter mounting bolt (1) to the proper torque specificationsSee: Starting System > Mechanical > Torque Specifications.

1. Position and secure the B+ PDC cable harness.

2. Install the battery tray. See: Battery Tray > Removal and Replacement > Battery Tray - Installation.

3. Install the PDC. See: Fuse Block > Removal and Replacement.

4. Connect the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), connect the IBS connector to the negative battery cable.

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Here are the directions for replacing the starter on the V6. The last two pics correlate with these directions.

3.6L

1. Position the starter (3) inside the transmission.

2. Install the starter mounting bolts (4) and tighten to the proper torque specificationsSee: Starting System > Mechanical > Torque Specifications

3. Connect the starter solenoid electrical connector (1) to starter solenoid terminal.

4. Install the battery cable and nut to the solenoid stud (2). Tighten the nut to the proper torque specificationsSee: Starting System > Mechanical > Torque Specifications

5. Install the catalytic converter (3) See: Catalytic Converter > Removal and Replacement > Catalytic Converter - Installation.

6. Lower the vehicle.

7. Connect the negative battery cable and tighten nut to the proper torque specifications

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Make sure the wiring is correctly installed.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Hi again:

Even if the transmission wasn't in neutral, the engine should turn. Your father may be thinking of a manual transmission. Please tell him to try again to see if it can be turned with a ratchet or breaker bar. If he can't turn it, the engine is locked up and that's why the starter can't turn it.

After thought. Make sure the timing belt didn't jump time when it was in water. Tell your husband to gently turn the crank shaft. If it doesn't turn, try the opposite direction. If it turns a little and locks again, we may have a jumped timing belt. Don't force it if that is the case.

Let me know.

Joe

We have to determine the cause. And yes, it is the same as seized.

Let me know about turning the engine. The 2.4L SOHC engine is known as an interference engine. Basically, if the engine was running when the timing jumped, often times the valves in the cylinder head make contact with the pistons and causing damage. If that happened, you would be better off finding a different engine.

Let me know what happened when you turn the engine by hand with a ratchet. Does it turn? In either direction? If it does, does it go so far and stop?

Did you shut the engine off or did it stall? Let me know. If you turned it off, chances are the belt will need replaced. If it shut off itself, we will need to get it back in time (if that is the problem) and then do a compression to see if valves were damaged.

Please keep in mind, this is the worst case. Hopefully it isn't the case.

Joe