Water our worst enemy.

[Pepino]

Ok so It's been a while since I have opened a thread here.
This is the first time I have problems with my VX other than the window problems.
Water seemed to be the problem then everything was fine.

So a couple of weeks ago I went to a night offorading expedition with a group of jeeps. Everything was fine. We went upstream inside a pretty shallow river, then came a big hole that I got dragged into and could not get out.
HEre is the Pic

Passenger side was inside the water, drivers side was somewhat inside the water but not as much. Water was getting inside the car but no big deal. Tried reversing and accelerating to get out but couldnt. Checked my dashboard, Check Engine light was on, ABS light was on and TOD check light was on. My friend pulled me out, we kept going on the trail with no problems other than the warning lights on, I thought it could be wet sensors.

About half an hour later, ABS light and Check engine light turned off, I was relieved since I checked the Air Filter and it was dry and also checked the alternator and it was perfectly dry.
TOD light was still on but It seemed to work perfectly fine in 4L and 4H So I didnt worry much.

Then a couple of miles in the trail I notice the engine accelerating everytime I pressed the brake pedal. If I was in Drive and I pressed the brake pedal to the point where the Shift lever lock was disengaged the car would accelerate so I had to press it harder so I would stop. Same thing wouldhappen in Neutral and in Parking, engine would rev up to about 2000 RPM.
Then I noticed that everytime I turned the lights off same thing happened which made me think it was an electrical issue and would stop later on.

Finished the trail at about 5am went back home drove the VX a day later and yes that problem stopped and has not happened again since then.
TOD light kept Flashing on my way home, sometimes 15 times, sometimes 4 times, sometimes 20 times but still seemed to be working fine even driving 70mph on the highway. I felt like the light was trying to tell me something like in Morse Code which I am pretty sure I was right but then after a couple days TOD Check light came off and had no problems.

Then Yesterday, I took the VX out after a couple of weeks letting it dry, took my Girfriend to her house and the moment I started driving off Vx started acting weird. I pressed the accelerator and RPMs went up and down, like if it was trying to accelarate but something was stopping it second after second, under light accelaration everything was fine but the moment I tried pressing the accelerator a little bit more then that would start happening again, even If I was going 20mph or 50mph It felt like the engine was dying. Check Engine light came on again. I remembered my airfilter was really dirty so I got home, cleaned it, washed it and oiled it like I always do. Seemed to Fix the problem eventhough the Check Engine Light was still On but then It happened again and again and again, I put it in Park and open the hood took the Air filter out and engine starte ddoing the same withoutme pressing the accelerator until it turned off. I turned it back on without a problem.

So this long thread for what?
Does anyone have any Idea what could be the problem?
I am taking my VX to my mechanic today, see what code it throws out. I will let you know If we solve the problem or If I need some more input from you guys.

Here are some more pictures of another trail for your entretainment while you wait for MOAB pictures.

[tom4bren]

Well, your TOD computer is under your passenger seat so that could explain the TOD warning lights you were having on the trail & the drive home.

As for the rev issue: Check your TPS, FPR ... prolly change your fuel filter too so you can rule that out.

As for the lack of power to the wheels: I'd start with fluid change in the tranny, transfer case & both pumpkins just to make sure they are not contaminated with water.

Those are just starting points. Unless your mechanic can find a problem, it'll prolly be trial & error till you find the right component that was damaged.

[Marlin]

Your main fuse box and relays are on the passenger side as well, not sure how deep in the engine bay it got on the side, but could be a culprit there, and it will take a while to dry out, try opening it up and checking.

[Pepino]

Thanks for the help, Took the VX to my Mechanic threw a MAF code, and two codes with something about Oxygen sensor. Still waiting for the complete diagnostic to see what is wrong.

[TheGanzman]

...Still waiting for the complete diagnostic to see what is wrong.

What is "wrong" is that you're using the vehicle for things that the Izusu designers and engineers never DREAMED you (or anyone ELSE!) would be using it for, and subjecting it to elements that it was categorically not DESIGNED to withstand - that's what is "wrong"...

Sorry Kids - Pops here, bringing you back to Reality. You wanna do this kinda stuff to a VX, you're gonna be spending some $ - an inordinant amount - to keep it running. Go buy a first generation Hummer for this kinda "torture test" abuse! Rant off now - back to your regularly-scheduled programming...

[EVO]

That many codes may be caused by your battery cables and posts corroading, try popping them off and cleaning them inside and out and reinstalling and properly torqueing back up!! You'd be surprised at how much stuff grows on them terminals!! Goodluck!!

[tom4bren]

What is "wrong" is that you're using the vehicle for things that the Izusu designers and engineers never DREAMED you (or anyone ELSE!) would be using it for, and subjecting it to elements that it was categorically not DESIGNED to withstand - that's what is "wrong"...

Sorry Kids - Pops here, bringing you back to Reality. You wanna do this kinda stuff to a VX, you're gonna be spending some $ - an inordinant amount - to keep it running. Go buy a first generation Hummer for this kinda "torture test" abuse! Rant off now - back to your regularly-scheduled programming...

AWWWW, let the boy play with his toy. If you're not fixing something, then you're not using it as it was intended to be used.

As far as I'm concerned, the only 2 things that the VX was not intended to be used for is swimming & jumping. While I wouldn't intentionally subject BZBZZZ to those, I may end up finding myself in the situation eventually where it might happen; I do know that others do it on a fairly frequent basis.

ROFL ... Just last weekend, Wifey & Boy were trying to hide a 24" crack in the windshield from me (they thought I'd be mad). Windshields crack even without abuse. Accept it ... fix it ... have fun with it. Boy wasn't expecting me to be mad about the scratched up headlights that had just been polished 2 months ago (good thing I can laugh about it now though).

[EVO]

For Real!!! He looks like knows how to wheel his puppy around and have fun while doing it!! No Regrets just do it!!

[Pepino]

What is "wrong" is that you're using the vehicle for things that the Izusu designers and engineers never DREAMED you (or anyone ELSE!) would be using it for, and subjecting it to elements that it was categorically not DESIGNED to withstand - that's what is "wrong"...

Sorry Kids - Pops here, bringing you back to Reality. You wanna do this kinda stuff to a VX, you're gonna be spending some $ - an inordinant amount - to keep it running. Go buy a first generation Hummer for this kinda "torture test" abuse! Rant off now - back to your regularly-scheduled programming...

Nobody was complaingin about the damage or the problems I had with my VX, I was just asking for help diagnosting the problem before I took it to a mechanic. What is actually wrong is not taking your VX where it can actually go, what is wrong is wasting such a capable vehicle and letting it sit and being driven only on pavement.

I like the VX, I dont need to buy a first generation hummer, and Yes I will spend all the money I can to keep it running and to keep breaking it, thats why I bought my VX in the first place.

You cant go wheeling expecting everything is going to be perfect every single time.

[Pepino]

For Real!!! He looks like knows how to wheel his puppy around and have fun while doing it!! No Regrets just do it!!

Thank you, will check the terminals, and yes I do have fun wheeling it every chance I get. I see you also race, racing is my second favorite hobby after wheeling. Love your EVO

[Vendetta]

I drive the hell out of my VX. Sometimes past the threshold of what some might call "abuse." Like the time I sent the ol' girl airborne, repeatedly, over a series of dips and bumps to ummm, "test out" my new shocks and torsion bars. Or when I drove it along the south shore of LI in the hours leading up to Hurricane Sandy, through some serious brackish. Immediately followed by a thorough bathing through freshwater puddles of course.

And speaking of, this past weekend saw some serious flash flooding here on The Island. I was driving blind for about five seconds at one point. Terrifying, but you gotta keep moving when it's that deep. Thankfully I was on a straight stretch and there were no others around.

Anyway - later that day, when I restarted her to go out again, the ABS light came on. I'd never seen it before - luckily enough. Figured my gear was soaked and it would go off on its own eventually. Especially after all the nightmare ABS light scenarios I've read on here.

Turns out I was right, a few hard brakes and a restart and the light went right off.

But yeah, water IS kinda our worst enemy I imagine.

-V

[etlsport]

Check the voltage at the alternator and battery when the vx is running. When my alternator went i had similar symptoms but it didn't die because the alternator was overcharging. It was around 17-20V at the ecu.

You can try removing the serpentine belt and running it . If that solves your problem then you know its the alternator.

[Pepino]

Check the voltage at the alternator and battery when the vx is running. When my alternator went i had similar symptoms but it didn't die because the alternator was overcharging. It was around 17-20V at the ecu.

You can try removing the serpentine belt and running it . If that solves your problem then you know its the alternator.

Thank you! will check on that see how it goes!

[EVO]

Thank you, will check the terminals, and yes I do have fun wheeling it every chance I get. I see you also race, racing is my second favorite hobby after wheeling. Love your EVO

Yeah the EVO is crazy Fun too, but its a different lifestyle! Funny I have'nt driven my EVO in a month and I don't miss it!! My current toy keeps me busy!

[Pepino]

OK so I tried everything you guys told me to try, nothing changed, I cleaned the MAF, code went away.
Still having the weird erratic accelerations and slowing downs. Mechanich told me the Catalitic Converter seems to be blocked. So new catalitic converter or going Decat with another resonator to lower the noise.
Could also create a complete exhaust system Ill see what I do later on.
Now, since I went into deep water and I am 100% sure the exhaust was underwater is there any chance that water could have ran all the way to the cat converter?
What other things could have blocked my cat?
Mechanic says after letting the VX running and not moving, catalityc converter starts glowing red of how hot it gets. I still have to see it in person.