OT/ 4-Runner Is Not a Boat

[Mark FL]

Our 1999 Toyota 4-Runner was driven in maybe up to a foot of water last night and the motor shut off. Any ideas as to what is wrong and how to get it started? It's a 4 cylinder with automatic tranny. My stepdaughter thought that more ground speed would be better to get through the water, so maybe some water splashed on electrical components. I will check the fuses. Are there sensors that could cause it to shut down? Last night it seemed like there was no power getting to the starter. Like a fuse was out or something. I am going to look at it this morning and get it towed home if it won't start. My stepdaugher is alright and that's the main thing. When I was younger I did some not so smart things myself (still do)! Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[glennster]

open up the air box and take a good look at the filter for evidence of water. it is not uncommon for the air intake tube to suck water in, it gets thru the filter box and hydraulic locks the engine. if the air filter is wet, pull the spark plugs and crank the motor over a few times. some water may come out the spark plug holes. put a couple squirts of transmission fluid into each spark plug hole, crank it a few times to distribute, then replace plugs and start er up. do this asap as the longer water sits in the cylinders, the worse on the motor it is.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yup --- when you drive fast --- you pay the price .... get it in a warm garage and let it dry out over night --- in 12 hours it will start ...

 

[Mark FL]

I haven't gone to look at it yet. I'm hoping I get more suggestions as to what may be wrong before I go. Last night it seemed like there was no power to the starter. Like a blown fuse in the ignition system (if that's possible) or some kind of electrical problem. The starter seemed to not engage at all. I really don't think she was driving that fast, maybe 10 or 15 miles an hour and I don't think the water was over a foot deep.

 

[jim johnson]

How long did it set in the foot of water or did it? We had a Bronco once that we drove through some streams in Colorado. Stopped to take pictures of it, great pictures, but we wound up replacing everything including engine.

Not good. So if it did be sure and drain the oil out of everything and rinse it out.

Jim

 

[Walt Davies]

Boy1 remind not to get a new car or truck the old one had more than 1 ft. of clearance and would drive though anything. giggle.
Walt

 

[Don L C]

All the above advice is good.....but you say the starter will not turn the engine over.....after you remove the plugs....a jumper cable run from the big cable connection on the starter to the positive (+) post of the battery.....

CAUTION as soon as you touch the battery....it's goung to crank...

If you decide to try and start it ....and it wont start with the key....

turn key on and use the jumper cable ...as above..

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have seen this happen a lot, a road near my house would flood when it rained. People would try and go through the water fast. Water would get sucked into the air intake and actually lock up the motor. If the motor tries to turn, and doesn't remove the plugs and try it again. Stan

 

[jose bagge]

check the airbox, as the previous posters have said- these vehicles are very prone to pulling water into the intake and "hyraulicing" the engine.
Ever notice how the serious mud-and-water off roaders run those snorkel intakes up along the windsheild posts? This is why! I think Toyota even has one available through TRD

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hope it was not salt water, also check any fusible links. I had that happen 2x after cleaning the engine compartment of a mustang LX, on the beginning of the major deegan expressway in the south bronx while headed to work. Was lots of fun, got er rolled off to the side, and had to think real quick, being on foot in that neighborhood and being a caucasion might draw some interest. Knew better than to use a phone booth, but had to, made sure the coast was clear first. Triple A tow truck from a garage over in Manhattan across the east river, got me out of there, funny it happened again 1 week later in almost the same spot, but there were more people out on the streets, hightailed it out of there quickly with a bag phone in the backpack, and anything else of value in the car, felt like an urban RTO man making phone calls, antenna sticking up over my shoulder, getting on buses and the subway, same garage fixed er again, was a fusible link again, water is not good under the hood !

 

[Mark FL]

It had water in the air intake. I took the plugs out, tried to crank it and it was like no current to the starter. Then hooked a jumper cable to the big connection on the starter and touched the positive terminal on the battery and it still acted like no power to the starter. I did not see any blown fuses in the box under the hood. The tow truck took it to a repair shop I've used for several years. Hope it's not too serious.