Okay, so I never thought I would have to post a question like this, but last night a heavy rainfall caught me in a nice lake of water. My cold air intake does have a bypass valve, hopefully it worked, but my car will not turn over now. The water was not high enough to come in the driver side door when I got out, but I am sure it was at least near the cold air intake filter. So, did water mess up the starter? I turn on the key and I have dashlights and all, but when I push the start button, it doesn't even click. Dash lights kinda dim like it tries to start, but nothing. Would it do anything to try and push start it just to see if it fires?? Figured someone out in s2ki land would have had this happen or knows someone who has this happen, and can post some ideas. Thanks!

 

If you don't know what you are doing have it towed to the dealership. If you have water in your intake or intake manifold you do not want the engine to turn over. It will suck it into the combustion chamber and destroy things on the compression stroke.

 

Anyway to know if it did? And yep, I don't know what I am doing, thats why it is great to have others to ask questions to

 

This would tell me that your battery is almost dead. However, under the circumstances, you should check your intake (inside the throttle body area) to see if there is any water. If you've parked it during the storm and it hasn't turned over, there should be no water high up in the intake (you also have the by-pass). Just double check for water before you get it boosted to try another starting attempt. If it starts from a boost, you need a new battery.

 

Since I am not an engine person, and not knowing how to properly check the throttle body, I am going to err to caution and tow it in and let the dealership evaluate. Just not worth firing it just to see if it runs and do further damage as Ubetit mentioned.

Thanks for the comments. Its awesome to have others who can post recommendations!!

 

I towed it back to my garage today, and checked all the fuses to make sure they were good. All look normal. I loosened the clamp to the top rubber hose of the CAI and pulled it back. As I looked into the intake chamber (sorry if thats not the right term) I saw nothing. No condensation, no moisture, nothing obvious. Now I really don't know the terms, moving the wheel on the outside that would normally rev the engine, the flap inside opens and I do see something wet, but its more like a blackish liquid, and it did not look like anything separated with water and oil look. Now, was that dirty water, I don't know. Is that normal to see??

Another thing that I have noticed, when I turn the key, the dash lights spring to life and wait for me to push the start button. Now that I have the car in the garage, I push the start button, the dash goes blank, I hear a click from the engine, and nothing. When I let go, the dash lights look like they start back up and come to life, but I see a red light in the center near the speedometer numbers blink twice. Then it sits to wait for something else. All headlights, high beams, turn signals, and parking lights work fine, minus the right turn signal being out. Not sure when that happened. As I hit the high beams, and sometimes the left and right turn, the dash lights go blank, then come back on, but not like I just turned on the key. Maybe something is still wet?

Just thought I would post a little more, I appreciate those that have commented so far.

 

whats the voltage on the batt?

 

I don't have the capability to test that. The lights do not appear dim, but I haven't checked them. But the typical click of a failing battery, though I have never heard one on an S2K, didn't seem like the click I heard. It was a strong click like it wanted to turn over. Is there an easy way to tell me how to check the voltage?

 

What you see in and beyond your throttle plate is likely oily, gas residue. Did it feel "oily" or did it feel like water? You should have also inspected the inside of the pipe you pulled off. Any water?

As for the starter thing, I believe your battery is toast. Get it boosted to see if it starts. If it does, drive it around a bit to charge the battery. If it happens again that you can't start it, get a new battery. Your symptoms are typical of a battery with too low a voltage to operate the starter motor. Only the solenoid clicks.

 

Not really. Jump with another vehicle. If it starts, that'll give you a clue.