I have an 02 Olds Aurora 4.0 right now, and I live on the coast of Texas which was just hit by Hurricane Claudette, and there is water in the interior, and now the AC, Radio, and power locks don't work. On top of that, my message center is saying "Air Bag Failure", "Trunk Ajar" (which it isn't), and "Stability System Failure", but the engine still turns on and I think it still drives.

Do you think it will be totalled? keeping in mind it is salt tidal water that got inside.

-Joe

 

If the water got that high, you probably also have water in the tranny, diff, and maybe the crankcase as well. It is obvious that it has caused some serious electrical probs, which may disappear when it dries out, but may have already caused permanent damage. Personally, I would not keep the car. Have the insurance appraiser check it out soon, preferrably before the electricals and upholstery, rugs, etc. dry out. I see a TL-S in your future!!

 

check your policy to make sure flooding etc is covered

 

If you dont think it totaled. Make sure its totalled and dump some water into the intake and gas the car. Soak all the electricals. Make sure it doesnt work. You dont want to keep the car now. It will never be the same...

 

To total a car?
Um, a bomb. A bulldozer. A scale. It's all relative...

Just kidding. Chances are, if the water level did not go over the hood or roof for an extended period, it won't be totalled. If it did sit under water for some time, especially salt water, it could indeed be screwed. The thing to do is get it towed to a shop and have the insurance carrier come inspect it. That will indeed clue you in on its ultimate repairability or not.

 

Sounds like good advice to me

 

hydrolock it!

 

don't pour water into your intake and stuff, that will just screw everything up and if they find out it's not good... do what i did, i put a hose on my dash and turned it on.... then after everythign was throughly soaked... i made sure any standing water wasn't clean, b/c all the flood water i had in my car was dirty, the insurance will kno... so after i put dirty water in places where it had nuttin but clean water, it looked like they were gonna total it... the next day the adjuster came over, opened up the coin try (it was my accord that flooded) and saw water in there... he said instanty that it was bad and they would have a tow truck pic it up within a few days.... hope that helps...

 

A car is totaled, basically, if it costs the insurance company more to fix it than the car is worth. $ to fix > value of car = totaled

 

LOL...good advice!

 

drive ur car on the ocean, and c how far it goes. Then reported it

 

I think there is a percentage formula they use for that. Say, if it costs for that (i.e.) 70% of the cars value to fix...