2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Flood Damage

MHART12

MEMBER
2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

My car was recently parked in an area with a lot of rain, and it flooded the inside of the vehicle. 2 inches in the front floor.

Now, my fuse panel is blown and they tell me I have CPU damage (possibly).I was told if the car drys out, that could potentially fix the problem with the CPU. I was also told to replace the fuse panel. Some of the problems I am experiencing is windshield wipers dont work, headlamps do not work, alarm comes and goes.

My questions is what is the most economical way to repair this problem, and how much to replace the CPU and fuse panel?

1 Reply

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

First of all, does your car run, and if so, how well?

If your car does run and drive fine, then you don't have CPU damage. And if you did have CPU damage, allowing it to dry WOULD NOT fix it.

You also don't have a "Blown" fuse panel. The fuses inside the panel may be blown, but that panel doesn't blow.

The problem with flood damage is it shorts out circuits, blows fuses, and leaves behind gunk that cakes up inside of connectors. (Which will continue to blow fuses)

You can have your fuse panel removed and thoroughly cleaned and reinstalled. But from you symptoms, it does sound as if your "Body Control Module" may be damaged. This is one of the computers you have on your car. (Not the one that controls your engine)

You'll need to first have your entire electical system that came into contact with the water inspected. If there's any gunk clogging up connectors, then you'll need to have that cleaned. Then you can repaire your fuse panel and replace all the fuses that've blown.

If this doesn't cure your problem, then your BCM is bad and will have to be replaced.

How much this'll cost will depend on the place you get it. New at a dealership, will cause you an arm and a leg. Your cheapest route will be with a salvage yard.