Hi guys, my '95 Volvo 850 was recently flooded a few days ago. My friend started it and drove it to work and back. Next day she said it wouldn't start and told me then that water was up to the hood. If I knew that from the start I would have told her not to drive it.

Anyway, I went to check it out and everything turns on but it won't start. I tapped the starter and solenoid and moved the shifter back and forth a bunch of times to no avail. Fuses were all ok. Battery is new. When I turned the lights on and tried to crank, the headlights turned off. I do not hear a clicking noise but maybe a light click from somewhere. Fuel pump primes.

What do you guys think? Starter?

 

Did she try to start the car while it was under water? Did the interior get wet, like the dash?

 

No, she waited until the water on the street was almost gone. As far as I could tell, it went up to the seats.

 

Something else may need to dry out. The ignition should turn the lights off while starting.

See if the starter is getting power, not sure how to jult that. Maybe you should take it in to be tested at an auto parts store.

 

manually jump the starter and see if it turns. Easy test to see if the starter is indeed toast.

 

@#$%^

 

@#%$&

 

FYI: water in the dist cap may keep your car from running, but has nothing to do with the starter circuit; i.e. it won't affect the starter cranking.