[s-cars] Wet floor killed my ECU?

[Steve Eiche]

Ed,
In order to take care of this problem and avoid long term damage, you 
need to dry it out ASAP.  Like now.  First off, disconnect the battery.  
Yes, you can blow the ECU, but it is usually repairable if you get it 
dried out quickly.  This means removing the scuff panels and pulling 
back the carpet, wet vac'ing up everything you can, removing and opening 
the ECU and blowing out the ECU and ALL electrical connections down 
there with compressed air.   Then leave it all open to allow anything 
that you missed to dry out.  Do not reconnect the battery until it is 
all dry.  While it is drying, you can clean out the drains under the 
windshield that are likely plugged and caused all this mess.

If you just leave it sit, especially with the battery connected, you 
WILL have an even bigger nightmare on your hands.  I am trying to help 
another lister work through just such an issue... 

-- 

Steve Eiche
Shade Tree Software, LLC
http://www.shadetreesoftware.com http://www.prodiag-hd.com
seiche at shadetreesoftware.com
800.419.6896 ext. 902

Ed wrote:
Hello,
Last night I parked my car outside overnight and it rained. Got in to
discover there was enough water in the passenger foot compartment that I
could *hear* it sloshing. Without thinking about the implications I started
up and drove ~2 blocks. Sure enough, car stalled and won't start again.
Did I mention I live on a steep hill ;)

I did read a bit in the archives, but I was hoping for a bit of advice:
1) Where exactly are the plugged drains that are likely causing this? I've
read of a drain in the AC box and the sunroof drains, but never actually
been able to find them (and never needed to before). What's the one that's
most likely to put this amount of water on the floor from a 12 hours of
light rain? (and yes, it's just water, not a busted coolent line).

2) Did I really just fry my ECU? I imagine it *is* suspended fully in water
given that the floor rug is literally a balloon. Is there something else I
should check first? A way to tell if that was it? A way to fix it?

I really appreciate any advice.

BTW, I couldn't get it up my driveway so as we speak she's still sitting in
the rain collecting more water... guess I should go out witha head lamp and
see what I can find further...

Ah yes, patient is 95 s6, engine-wise stock except for a chip.

Ed