I need help Fast! [what to do on a flood car]

[Eclipse98Spyder]

Well after buying the spyder we carfaxed it and nothing came up and this was 3 weeks ago. Well 3 days ago I carfaxed it again to look something up and it said it was a flood car. I was like WTF? I know what a flood car is but the previous owner only NOW filed it. That may explain the smell from the carpet and other misc things. Through out those 3 weeks the check engine light came on and these problems occured:

-Car didnt start after putting gas in
-Check Engine light on
-Solinoid blown
-some electrical none woking and if does it is 50/50
-Washer pump for windows dead (thinking maybe blown due to electrical)
-Window switch going
-I also noticed my headlight insides look like they melted some ???

There is no way to tell how far the water came up because the engine is in mint shape with only 48,000 miles on it. My question is to you guys what else should I look for and what should I do? I am not going to sell this car I am going to rebuild it back to normal. Reason its so urgent is because It needs to pass emissions because it failed because of the check engine light and has 30 days or I cant drive. and Im on my 6th day

 

[justin0469]

Pull the CEL code. Have fun working on random extensive electrical work.

 

[Slow4G64]

^+1

Who did you buy it from? If possible, I'd go back and say something, especially if it was a dealer just trying to move the car off the lot. If you plan on keeping the car, which it sounds ike you do, I'd fix whatever's wrong with the motor and go to work on the electrical.

 

[Rex2342]

First I'd start by doing a full interior strip down. Get the carpet, plastic panels,and seats out of there and clean them as best you can. You don't want mold in your car as it could cause health issues if you breath it in. While the interior is out you can get a good look at the wiring behind the panels and under everything to see if anything else is out of place or damaged.You may even be able to determain how far the water came up inisde the car. Next take a look inside the ECU and any fuse box's for any water damage or corroded wires and terminals. Most electrical harnesses are pretty good at keeping water out but things like fuse box's, ecus, relays, and anything inside the car are not so start there. After all that then I would turn my attention to the harness by unplugging each connection one at a time and checking for corrosion inside the plug and on the sensors. Good luck.

 

[Eclipse98Spyder]

Well I bought it from a private seller so that is out of the question and the carpet has a weak smell so I know it did make into the inside but it made it close. Like I said before the engine is fine just alot of electrical. I dont want to get rid of it but thanks I will do some of that today.

 

[travislaw]

Did you print your original car fax report from 3 weeks ago? Carfax has a buy back gaurantee something about if you buy a car and they later find out there was a major problem with it they will buy it back for the price you paid for it. Check into on their website.
This is the registration for the Buy Back Guarantee which covers flood damage, must register within 90 days of buying vehicle.
http://www.carfax.com/guarantee/warranty_card_votc.cfm

These are the rules to qualify for guarantee.
http://www.carfax.com/guarantee/hctermsanddef.cfm

 

[Dasamary]

Additionally there are state Lemon Laws...if you had no knowledge that the car was flooded and the owner did. You could receive your money back for the car. You will want to find out when the "flood" designation was provided...(I would think this comes from an insurance claim pretty much the same when your car is totaled).

If you can prove there was no info that the car was flooded when you bought it and it was hidden from you; you could at most get your money back.

 

[dave99gst]

a guy i no had a flood car -- his ECU ended up fryed (salt watER)

 

[hottboost]

Just a quick note. Im a salesman in the car business. There is no SUCH THING AS A LEMON LAW WHEN IT COMES TO USED VEHICHLES!!! ONLY NEW ONES!! I would pull him into court because if you bought it thinking it has a clean carfax then you bought it under false terms. Good Luck Man