engine problem after rainstorm

[boniathome]

Drove from vegas to utah. came onto huge rainstorm. I was passed by a Semi that drenched me. The car started to flutter and began act as it was missing and huge loss in power. Pulled over at gas station. and could not get car to idle smoothly. would die when placed in drive engine would move back and forth almost as if no motor mount was holding it down while in park. could somewhat increase RPM and would almost seem to sound normal. Waited 9 hours thinking something got wet...after awhile was able to get it in drive an drive an additional 200 miles home. still ran terrible and engine power was reduced to almost imedium gear(same gear when climbing hills). went from 32 MPG to 10 MPG.
when I stopped to get gas and turned the engine over the engine service light turned on for a brief moment. did the paper clip check and gave me code 19 that reads inermintent 7x reference signal

so after reading some threads i thought I fouled the plugs, I replaced them (a couple looked like they were carbon fouled) noticed after driving about 20 miles also that the catalatic convertor was glowing red? no good I know. notice smoke after and trip and this now answers why...

so to make story short. this is what I have done.

-Checked each cylinder for Hydrolock no water.
when checking the # 2 cylinder puffed out a rusty powder on the first turnover then did not appear again
-Checked compression - all 155-160.
-replace plugs, and saw no visual cracks on ignition coil housing assembly.
- all components, temprature oil, coolant is constanst, Oil level same.
- transmission shifts funny also but i think it has to do with loss of power caused by whatever is associated with the engine.
What to do next. Your help is appreciated. thanks

boni

[4kQuad]

What kind of Air filter do you have on it. If you have other than a factory you may have got water up in the air filter. A wet air filter would make it run bad and kill gas milage.

That would be my next step.

[boniathome]

air filter was dry. with the Cat glowing red I think my next action should be to replace it if its cloged and restricting air this could also cause this symtom?

Also testing the 2 coils is confusing in the haynes book. loooked for a thread and could not find one. recomendations?

[erimar77]

my last car had a clogged catalytic convertor. what you're describing kinda sounds like what happened to my car... not exactly, but similiar. i would definatley try disconnecting the cat to see what happens.

[Matt95GT]

Sounds obvious to me that you're not getting spark on all cylinders.

I'm gonna vote crank position sensor. It's low on the block (near oil filter) and is consistent with your symthoms and code.

Or, possibly the ignition module... they tend to be a common source of problems on the Quads.

[boniathome]

I tested the coils and used a spark plug tester and they are working fine. Replaced Exaust O2 sensor. got under the car and inspected my cat and shook it and it sounded like a bunch of parts laying inside. Going wednesday and replacing it. let everyone know the status.

boni

[antoniobanderas]

well body,it all points to a fouled MAF SENSOR ,WATER WILL KILL IT AND MAKE THE CAR RUN LIKE A PIECE OF CRAPPY, THE ENGINE RUNS IN LIMP MODE ,IT OSLO GETS THE CAT TO GLOW RED HOT ,WHY ? ALL THE UNBURNED FUEL GOES THERE AND IGNITES THERE ,I COULD BE WRONG OFF COURSE BUT ALL POINTS THAT DIRECTION ,GO GET A USED MAF AND PUT IT ON ,AS PER THE CAT,IT MIGHT BE TO LATE IF ITS RATTLING AND IT GOT MELTED ?

[Matt95GT]

^The Quad engine family does not have a MAF sensor.

[antoniobanderas]

maybe not a maf sensor ,but it prob has to have one that does same function the ecm needs feedback as we all know, hey ! any ideas ? ;)

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by antoniobanderas
maybe not a maf sensor ,but it prob has to have one that does same function the ecm needs feedback as we all know, hey ! any ideas ? ;)

Yes, a MAP sensor. Since nothing flows thru it, and it's attached to the intake manifold via small vacuum line, the map sensor water wouldn't reach it even if the car is under water.

[antoniobanderas]

wow! we have a watertight car , je je ! anyhow,he did say the car started acting up right after the rain its a excellent clue as to the cause we wish he find out soon and let us know the fix

[boniathome]

So I replaced the plugs, boots and coils and the Crankshaft position sensor and still not running on all cylinders. At least that is what i'm thinking. Thought about the ICM but do not want to pay 150 if this is not the problem. Going to take it to the service station and put it on a diagnostics machine. better to spend the 35 dollars and see if it this.

How would the map sensor affect the engine?