3

Any ideas what this could be?

I drove my 02 dodge stratus through a deep puddle last night 1/2 a mile from my home. The 2.4l DOHC engine immediately started bogging out and would barely accelerate, but in neutral it seemed to rev fine. I drove home under 3 krpm and shut the car off. Today, I checked the air filter and everything was totally dry, no signs of moisture. Checked the spark plugs and I didn't detect any moisture there either. Checked oil, and didn't appear milky.

When I tried to start it, It started very shaky, ran for a few seconds and stalled. I tried to start it again, but engine wouldn't turn over. Tried starting it a couple hours later, and it started right up. It sounded like it was running smooth, no shake, no noise. Then it just stalled and I can't get it to start again. Any ideas what it could be?

Ben Frank
  • 31
  • 1
  • 3

1 Answers1

3

Your experience w/ the drive home sounds like the ECU entered 'limp-home' mode. You may have shorted out some sensor or other electronics that is keeping it from operating correctly now. Sometimes that can clear up when the parts dry off, and other times it means parts need to be replaced.

Since your air filter was dry-- and your engine still runs-- it seems unlikely that you tried to compress incompressible liquid.

Perhaps give it a day or two to dry in the hot sun (if available,) or else have it towed to a mechanic.

Cognitive Hazard
  • 874
  • 1
  • 10
  • 24