Q: I drove threw a big puddle last night while it was storming and my car wont start

asked by on November 06, 2017

I was driving in a storm last night and hut a big puddle last night and my car stalled and will not start again

My car has 32000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is hard to start Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi Lisa. Thanks for contacting us today. There are two possibilities here. First, it is possible that some water may have entered the engine and caused a hydraulic lock (which essentially makes the engine useless and will require complete rebuilding). The second option is that several or a few electrical connections or sensors have been saturated with water - causing electrical problems. Diagnosing this type of issue can be rather complex, so you might want to wait a few days to see if the vehicle starts up again once things dry off. If not, please contact a professional mechanic to complete an onsite inspection.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I check the tire pressure?
Checking the tire pressure in your car is an essential part of regular maintenance. You have a tire pressure monitoring system, but this should never be considered a replacement for physically checking the tire pressure. Here’s how to make sure...
Clicking and vibrating while driving and turning.
A vibrating sound could indicate a bad wheel bearing and a clicking noise while turning can indicate a bad cv joint. The wheel bearing is what the wheel rotates on and the CV joint is what connects the transmission to...
Truck goes into limp mode while driving
Hello. The P0068 diagnostic trouble code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0068-obd-ii-trouble-code-air-assisted-injector-control-circuit-high-by-andrew-quinn) is an indication that there may be an issue with the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor/mass airflow (MAF) sensor. The P0016 diagnostic trouble code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0016-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-camshaft-position-correlation-bank-1-by-jay-safford) is an indication that there may be an...
I need to remove torsion bar from lower control arm.
Be very careful messing with the torsion bar. It is under an extreme amount of force. Make sure you have all of the tension removed from the torsion bar by loosening the adjustment bolt. Count the number of turns you...
resetting blend air actuator
The a/c door actuators do not need programming. I think what happened is the door was in the incorrect position when you put in the actuator. What you need to do is remove the actuator and leave the actuator electrical...
Is my charging system working properly?
The B Positive terminal on the Alternator (the big one) should be linked to the battery via a cable that connects at the starter, so you shouldn't read a voltage difference between the Alternator and the battery positive terminal. You...
Why would my car not move in gear? 2002 Lincoln Continental
Hi - the first task is to check the transmission fluid level to make sure it has adequate and good condition fluid - proper level, red and clear (as opposed to dark and brown/black). If the fluid is dark and...
Does being very low on oil cause the check engine light to come on? And what else could be wrong if there are no symptoms along wi
The low oil level is something that certainly needs to be addressed. However, it is generally not a cause for the check engine light to come on. The check engine light comes on when an electrical / electronic issues in...
i'm planning to buy a 2016 camaro LT 1 2.0 L with i-4 turbo engine. i did a test drive and its not making noise, Can i make my car
You can change the exhaust after the catalyst to a performance exhaust. This will give you more power and louder exhaust depending on the system you purchase. Some aftermarket sites will give you a soundbite of what the exhaust will...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
Few Few vehicles are as distinctive as the Chevrolet Avalanche. Part SUV, part truck, the Avalanche is actually surprisingly practical. On the inside, it feels more like a Chevy Tahoe, except when you look out your rearview mirror, you’ll notice...
2012 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2012 Hyundai Elantra: Which One Should I Buy?
When you’re looking for a four-door sedan, you’re likely interested in a smaller family car that still offers decent styling and looks, great gas mileage, and a comfortable interior that will keep your family safe as you’re driving. While not...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Electrician
As As an electrician, you have to haul around wiring, tools and equipment, and tons of supplies. You can’t get by with a small used car, or even a big one. What you probably need is a good used cargo...