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This is a bit of a long story, so please bear with me. '99 9-3 auto.. crossposted from the 9-3 board... but figured some ng900 regulars could help, too.. TIA
Yesterday, attending a wedding reception at a state park, I tried to cross a small stream via a ford. The water was around 6-8 inches. low enough that I could open my doors without water seeping in, and the tailpipe and intake were not submerged. Many other cars were crossing without incident, and this was the generally accepted path through the park. I made it about 2/3 across before I lost power.
This is where I will just get it out of the way and call myself an idiot. For trying to cross, and what I did next. Anyway.
After waiting for about 5 minutes, I became a bit impatient and tried to start the engine again. (yes, in the water. d'oh.) It would crank, and then sputter out. I tried this until I noticed a burning scent. At this point, I got out of the car and pushed it as far as I could (there was a steep ramp exiting the stream) and had someone tow me onto level ground. I popped the hood and got a better whiff of the smell- burning plastic or electrical equipment. My first instinct was that my DI had fried. I took it out, and it appeared normal.. nothing burnt or abnormal looking around the plugs.. no moisture, either. on close inspection, I noticed the burning smell was coming from the driver's side.. near the brake fluid resevoir and the coolant resevoir. Couldn't pinpoint the exact source. The engine didn't look too wet, though I could see water had pooled in some areas close to the bottom of the engine- probably from waves created by my tires when I was still moving.
At this point, I could hear a loud click when turning the key, but no cranking whatsoever.. I still had/have power to everything, the engine makes a series of quieter clicks when attempting to start.. I think the battery is fine. Tried a jump start with no luck. fuses look ok.
I let it sit and dry further overnight.
Today, upon closer inspection I noticed that the air filter is quite damp, and the air box has a bit of water pooled at the bottom, underneath the plastic intake pipe. I got underneath and inspected the starter while the key was turned.. it makes a loud pop, and then nothing. I tried striking it with a breaker bar, and which point it made a slight whirring or whining noise after the initial pop.. but no cranking.
I'm assuming I killed the starter by pushing it too hard trying to get the engine started. The sound the engine made as the cranking died down reminded me of the sound my old Audi's starter made when it died.. is my diagnosis correct..? anything else I can try here?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks..
posted by 167.142.34...
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