NO start as a result of getting wet. Need asvice

[plyhammer]

we discovered that my sons battery box is leaking. There was a torrential amount of rain that got in to the passenger foot well all of the electronics including the computer we’re completely soaking wet. The car would not start there is no tach bounce After several days of drying it out we have swap computers to see if that would help and it did not. A curious symptom is that without a computer plugged in when we put the battery on whether the doors are closed or open, the gauges light up and the door buzzer dings with no key even in the ignition Typically I would say that this is a speed or reference sensor problem as there is no tach bounce but I believe it does not have anything to do with those and more to do with the water. Please let me know your thoughts

[John_AZ]

I can see by your post, the frustration.
I would suggest continuing to dry the interior and under the dash---maybe with a low voltage bulb for a few more days to dry out the relays and fuse box.
The grounds are probably corroded, especially near the rear top of the engine. Clean all grounds carefully.
The computer may need a few more days to dry out internally---IF it is still working or the spare.

Did the rain get into any intake hose ?

J_AZ

[djnolan]

Maybe a good bake in the sun will clear things up, if the sun ever comes out again,

As for repairing the battery box I highly recommend POR-15 and fiberglass screen...

[plyhammer]

Not frustrated at all. Just trying to figure it out. I sealed it up with the gasket maker goo I had and the flex sealed it.

[v2rocket_aka944]

sounds like ignition circuit got screwy.
maybe something is back feeding the gauges (check black wire to ignition coil, this branches off the wire to the gauges and is supposed to be "switched")

[Bukowski]

not saying this is the cause, but - and I don't know the model/year, but :

the ground on the engine in the back, near the firewall - if nothing has been done about that by now, any iffy-ness associated with it could now be ... well... when John_AZ says "clean the grounds", I'd start there....

HTH

[plyhammer]

Ok. Cleaned grounds, swapped ignition,
Symptoms include no tach bounce but most confusingly the dash lights come on when the battery gets hooked up. Relay G2 (ignition relay) gets warm and when pulled the dash lights go off. More thoughts?? I’ll be checking speed and reference sensors next....

[plyhammer]

No key in the ignition, door closed this is what I get

[Jfrahm]

Looks like an ignition switch issue or some melted wires fused together somewhere.

[Bukowski]

What about fuses?

Free association thought : starter connections

[plyhammer]

Originally Posted by Bukowski

What about fuses?

Free association thought : starter connections

Good thoughts. I’ll be trying all things!!

[Bukowski]

I just remembered what I wanted to say:

there's an apparent "crackling" sound that I heard on my 87 944 NA, that is in fact a rattly cruise control motor that is mounted up obviously near the right hand (passenger side) strut mount. I confirmed this simply by unplugging the big wire harness from it, and also trying another used motor.

hope that helps.

[plyhammer]

Thank you for All of the help everyone! The problem has been solved. It was a dual issue in which the alarm module frizzed out as well as the DME relay. I really appreciate all of the helpful insight that’s what makes this community a great thing. Thanks again. Ply