Flood Victim Toyota

I think I started this on another thread less specific to my issue, and so if this is repetitive I'm sorry. I bought a 2018 Tacoma that had been in a flood. Stupid, I know. But a gamble.

Sometimes I get dash lights like a normal start, sometimes nothing. If I connect the battery and try to start it either way the alarm comes on and prevents anything from happening... although, it will crank over. Windows work, fan works, radio and nav don't. They flash along with the alarm. Door key will unlock the driver's door when inserted but will not work with the remote buttons. I know I'll eventually have to bring it to the dealer, but I want to head off the guessing game, if anyone has any experience like this. The car was pretty deeply flooded in fresh water. It is clean, now and is a brand new car from a dealer who lost about 30 of these things. I'm sure hoping someone has a similar story and a solution. Thanks, all. Robbie

 

Man that’s rough, there’s 1,000 things that could be wrong after water intrusion. I’d start by checking all the fuses and relays, grounds and any electrical connections. Did it come with a spare key?

 

Good luck, hope you didnt pay too much. Hope they replaced all the ECUs and didnt just try to dry out the old ones

 

Dude, you need to understand how water affects circuit boards and electrical connection points. Any circuit board that was submerged is likely going to need to be replaced - and there could be many. Galvanic corrosion is the problem - look it up and get educated. It gets worse with time. This is why most flood vehicles are write offs.

 

I would first completely disconnect the alarm and go from there. Sometimes the if the alarms are screwed up they can do wild things.

Start one thing at a time and I’d start with alarm first. Then check all fuses etc

So the truck has not been running at all since you’ve had it correct?

 

He's right you know. You will get one gremlin fixed today and find two more tomorrow. Chances are it will never stop giving problems. Not unless you replace every single board, harness, fuse, switch, and relay on the vehicle. I'm sorry, friend. If I were in your shoes I'd find a way to get rid of the truck now without taking a devastating loss on it.

 

If you could get a list of the items they replaced that would be a big help to you. Whenever we have had to restore a new "totaled" vehicle, the one thing we did/do was to replace all the ECM(s) modules.

Some things such as carpets & seats can be saved, others like under-carpet laymen and electronics can't.
Additionally, all electrical connectors that were under need to be disconnected, sprayed & dried. It takes some work, but it can be saved without gremlins in most cases.

Best of luck
Cheers

 

Buy another one that was in a wreck and start swapping out components. The dealers labor rate will quickly eat up any of the savings you had buying it.

 

Buying a flood vehicle is NOT a gamble...it's almost guaranteed to give you problems.

You will learn a very expensive lesson from this.

 

I hope you got it for around 100 bucks. Otherwise you're screwed.

G.

 

It's a process, it can be done with no issues, but the learning curve can kill you.
You just need to know how to go about it so it don't bite you

 

Hey, good luck man. I appreciate the effort your taking to learn something new by taking a gamble. Would love to see your progress and read about the different things you learn along the way.

 

Your lucky that’s all the problems you have like others mentioned it’s a money pit and won’t be long before the next issue comes up sell it or trade it in

 

God bless your dertermination and attempt to salvage a flooded vehicle. Would’ve best been used as a parted out vehicle for body panels rather then something that sees the pavement. Wish you the best with it.

 

Better call a marine mechanic when you want to rebuild the motor; make it waterproof while you are at it... wish you luck.

 

Let's see some pics! What did you pay?