Well crap...

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
03/31/2014 at 10:54 • Filed to: lightlopnik

So over the weekend our '08 Sienna decided to turn on all the dummy lights (Check Engine, VSC, TRAC). Now these came on shortly after I had to go through a fairly deep puddle, I wonder if the water tripped the sensors or something. I tried resetting the TSC button, no luck. The car drives fine, and there are no strange noises. I will wait a day and let it dry out and see if the lights go off. Just for good measure I re-set the gas cap. You guys have any thoughts?

DISCUSSION (26)

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 10:57

How deep was the water? Honestly, I would get it fully checked by a trusted mechanic, I've seen too many of my friends screw up their engine by going through water, but, then again I'm just super paranoid. If it's still running fine then you are probably good to go, might have just shorted something out.

crowmolly > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 10:57

Maybe disconnect the battery for 20 minutes and re-connect?

Nibbles > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 10:57

Hopefully the water didn't damage the ECU/PCM/[whatever they call it these days]

N/A POWAAAHH > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 10:58

Water in the intake?

Tom McParland > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/31/2014 at 10:58

maybe a foot or two, and only the passenger side wheel went through it.

Tom McParland > N/A POWAAAHH
03/31/2014 at 10:59

wasn't that deep only a foot or so

Tom McParland > crowmolly
03/31/2014 at 10:59

Good tip, will give that a try

Chris Clarke > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:01

My '03 Sienna has a bad 02, or bad 02 heater and it trips the VSC, Traction and, Check engine lights.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:01

You are probably good to go then, I don't know how Sienna's are wired up, but since the wheel was partially submerged, maybe there was a wire down there that was whittling down and became exposed, and when you drove through the water it shorted it out? If you are worried, definitely get it checked out, but say you drive it today and it drives fine? You're probably good brother.

EL_ULY > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:02

give it a day, disconnect the batt or "clear all" if you have a scanner. Report back.

-your local OPPO ex Toyota/Lexus Master tech :]

For Sweden > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:02

My only thought is to find a code reader and tell us what the codes are.

Tom McParland > For Sweden
03/31/2014 at 11:05

That is my next plan if the lights do go off tomorrow

evil2win > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:06

My old Toyota van would turn on all the idiot lights if the alternator failed. the first time this happened I was a little freaked out.

JApexing > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:06

If the warning lights don't go away, I would start by going to your local parts store and borrowing their code reader. This will tell you what the error is and allow you to reset the fault. If there is actually something wrong, the warning lights will return shortly and then you should take it to a mechanic. Most shops/dealerships will charge you just to read the error codes and reset them which you can do yourself for free in the parking lot of the auto parts store.

Tom McParland > JApexing
03/31/2014 at 11:07

Yeah my local AAMCO will do free scans

jariten1781 > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:08

Some electrical box in my wife's car had the foam seal break down and this happened after a car wash. Resetting the codes didn't work, but waiting a bit for it to dry out then disconnecting the battery put everything right.

dinobot666 > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:08

How fast were you going through the puddle?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:08

A foot of water can still do some serious damage. I had to drive home from work during hurricane Sandy an "only a foot or so" was able to splash onto the topside of the engine and shatter one of the hot spark plugs.

Tom McParland > dinobot666
03/31/2014 at 11:08

30-40 mph

JApexing > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:12

Perfect. I would still start by resetting the code and seeing if it comes back. Because this happened when driving through the water, it's possible there is no error now, but the fault needs to be cleared. If the fault returns, something likely needs to be replaced. Possibly a wheel speed or ABS sensor on the side that was submerged.

dogisbadob > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:21

Not unheard of, but I'm surprised it would happen in something as high as a Sienna.

I've driven through water in the ES250 I used to have. The AC light blinked for a little bit and the AC didn't work for a few minutes.

Where is the alternator located on the Sienna? I've had all the lights go on and flicker with a bad alternator.

LuczOr > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:21

This is what a car looks like with a stand alone ECU installed. Where I come from, we call this "the christmas tree dash" because its all lit up like a... well, you get it.

In seriousness, you probably just got some water in your alternator or under hood fuse box. My old Toyota pickup would look the same when I drove through deep puddles. Just reset the ECU (unplugging the battery or the ECU itself will work) and if it goes away, call it good. Otherwise see your local code scanner.

dinobot666 > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 11:39

Yikes. That's a pretty brisk clip for that deep of a puddle. I'd say bring it into a trusted mechanic or dealership and have the wiring harness(s) gone though.

cbell04 > Tom McParland
03/31/2014 at 12:01

The alternator is on the passenger side of your vehicle I'm pretty sure. My Maxima threw every code for a couple days until the battery died and I realized the real problem was just that the alternator had quit on me.. The codes were as a result of improper voltage or something like that but seriously had every warning light on in the dash and it still drove fine. would def do as the rest mentioned let it dry out and pull battery for a few minutes see if they return.

Tom McParland > EL_ULY
04/07/2014 at 16:24

Hey I tried the batt disconnect trick, it worked for a week. Then yesterday the lights came back on. I got it scanned "P2420 Evaporative Emission Pressure Switch Valve Stuck Off." I just dropped it off at my local mechanic, so we will see what happens.

EL_ULY > Tom McParland
04/07/2014 at 16:30

ah that code eh? Ze old leak detection pump. Could be just a hose but the pumps are usually what I would of replaced :]