SOLVED: Caught with my top down, now it won't start.

[grnerd]

Beautiful sunny day, my 22 Sasquach was in the back yard with the top down. I was inside the house, and realized that it had started raining, pretty hard. Ran outside and pushed up the top, spilling some of the puddled water inside the car (it was already plenty wet in there). Tried to start it up to move it under cover, and it would not turn over.

Here are the messages I get:

Steering Assist Fault Service Required
Service Vehicle Soon
Full Accessory Power Active
Park Brake Fault Service Now
Steering Assist Fault Service Required
Pre-Collision Assist Not Available
Service Advance Track

I have pulled the battery and charged it to 100% and let it dry out for four days, but nothing is different today. Before I bite the bullet and have it towed into the dealership, I figured I would check with the group and see if there is any advice you might have.


UPDATE: So after a month, I finally have my Bronco back. It turns out that there was rodent damage on a couple of the wiring harnesses. Replacing them brought it back to life. I can't believe that it was coincidental with the water, so I would guess the water got to the damaged wiring and caused a short.

So happy that the wiring industry has gone to a soy based product for the wire coating.

I am glad the mystery is solved, and I can let the world know to watch out for this if you run into a similar situation yourselves.

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[hec1]

Well that answers a question ive had about rain in the cabin. Good luck

 

[Brian_B]

The obligatory “stick it in a bag of rice” comment

Something’s still wet somewhere - just a matter of finding it

Clearing codes and seeing what pops back up may help steer you in the right direction

 

[Fastmc25]

So you’re saying they’re not as waterproof as a frogs butt?

Interesting

 

[Freebird32]

You could try a dehumidifier. Rent or buy one. Set it in the vehicle close up top/doors/windows and run it. I have a unit that i use in my house that works great. It will dry things out in a hurry. WD 40 on wet connections that can be reached. The dehumidifier I got was an LG Puricare 70 pint. It shuts off when full, or you can run a drain hose from it. You’ll have to run an extension cord as it is AC.

 

[technerd]

Couple questions:

1. Do you have carpet or vinyl flooring?
2. If carpet, does it feel wet?
3. Does it attempt to start or just nothing?

If you have carpet, I'd bet it's wet underneath and some of the wiring got wet. No idea if it will be fixed by just drying out, but maybe start with wet/dry vacuuming everything? And like someone else said, a dehumidifier for a couple days. No idea if it would come back, but I've definitely seen YouTube videos of people fixing flood cars and a lot of automotive connectors will be fine once they dry out, if it was not salt water, so there's a chance.

 

[UncleBrad]

On my 2012 Wranger (JK) the same thing happened to me. The radio & CD player quit. It stayed quit for a long time (I can't remember - maybe a couple of weeks) until it resurrected itself. Of course, there is a lot more going on in a 6G Bronco. Thanks for sharing your experience with the forum.

Always, always true: if the weatherman says zero chance of rain, and you put your top down, it will rain. Corollary truth: you will not be at the vehicle when it happens.

 

[grnerd]

Another day drying out in the hot Georgia sun, and still no luck starting it. Checked all of the fuses for continuity, and did not find anything that was blown. Ordred an ODB tool, will clear the codes when it comes in. I have considered taking up all of the carpet and seeing if I can spot any corroded wiring anywhere, but that seems like a goose chase.
I am afraid I'm going to have to arrange to have it towed to the dealer, hopefully there is a tech there who can figure it out.

 

[Lee W]

Please let us know what you find out. It could happen to anyone.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Another day drying out in the hot Georgia sun, and still no luck starting it. Checked all of the fuses for continuity, and did not find anything that was blown. Ordred an ODB tool, will clear the codes when it comes in. I have considered taking up all of the carpet and seeing if I can spot any corroded wiring anywhere, but that seems like a goose chase.
I am afraid I'm going to have to arrange to have it towed to the dealer, hopefully there is a tech there who can figure it out.

Pulling the carpet and drying it is not a bad idea even if you have to take it in.

 

[Russ.Cere]

What was your water mitigation strategy once you got it home after being caught in the rain?

 

[Freebird32]

I agree, You should try to dry it out. It will prevent things from getting mildewed and smell that goes with it. I get a gallon of water from the dehumidifier in my living and dining room every day even with a/c running (of course its florida). Using one would dry your truck out in a hurry.

 

[SledDog30]

You could try a dehumidifier. Rent or buy one. Set it in the vehicle close up top/doors/windows and run it. I have a unit that i use in my house that works great. It will dry things out in a hurry. WD 40 on wet connections that can be reached. The dehumidifier I got was an LG Puricare 70 pint. It shuts off when full, or you can run a drain hose from it. You’ll have to run an extension cord as it is AC.

Bypass the WD40. It will do more harm than good. It’s electrically conductive and may melt the plastic and rubber in the connectors. It can also cause electrical tracking between the pins in the connector.

if you want the do something like that, use CorrosionX. It can be found in many auto stores or on Amazon.

it electrically neutral and will displace water in the connectors without hurting the plastic or rubber. It will also lube the connectors and that help the pins and sockets work better.

I have used on live 240/480 3 phase circuits and equipment. We also use it to displace water and rehab card edge connectors in remote terminal units for SCADA systems. Been using it for years.

 

[Russ.Cere]

Another day drying out in the hot Georgia sun, and still no luck starting it. Checked all of the fuses for continuity, and did not find anything that was blown. Ordred an ODB tool, will clear the codes when it comes in. I have considered taking up all of the carpet and seeing if I can spot any corroded wiring anywhere, but that seems like a goose chase.
I am afraid I'm going to have to arrange to have it towed to the dealer, hopefully there is a tech there who can figure it out.

My bad I did not read completely. The time drying was a mistake. If you haven't already done so go grab a wet vac and dehumidifier. Using a combination of towels and the vacuum remove as much water as you can. Follow with dehumidifying the vehicle overnight.

I did this exact thing in Alabama/Florida and immediately vacuumed and dehumidified the vehicle. I removed power as soon as I got home and did not attempt to start until after I got the water under control. Started right up no issues next day.

I beat the hell out of this vehicle and its surprisingly robust so long as you attempt to restore it to a clean storage condition as soon as possible.

I second using a water displacing chemical for connectors especially if vehicle was left wet for any period of time.

 

[Fastmc25]

So we can fjord a river in 30” of water but can’t handle getting wet inside in the rain.

Interesting.

I guess i will try not to get it wet.

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