Does a non-responsive second ignition after wading count as a second ignition?
4 Answers
Not necessarily. If the vehicle stalls during wading, do not attempt to restart it immediately. There are two possible outcomes of a second ignition: 1. No impact: The engine may still start after wading, but if water enters the air filter, the engine may ingest some moisture, forming steam. The mixture of water vapor and gasoline can burn completely, causing minimal damage to the engine. 2. Negative impact: If a small amount of water enters the engine and mixes with the oil, the oil quality will deteriorate. Water in the oil can increase wear on engine components, potentially leading to louder noise and greater vibration while driving.
I used to work in an auto repair shop, and attempting to start the engine after water exposure definitely counts as a second ignition attempt. Simply turning the key or pressing the ignition button activates the starting system, which constitutes one ignition attempt—even if the car doesn’t respond. After stalling in water, liquid may enter the exhaust or intake system, blocking the engine and interrupting the ignition signal, which is why the starter won’t engage. But don’t underestimate the issue—it can cause chain damage to the engine, such as hydro-locking the pistons due to water in the cylinders, potentially leading to repair costs in the tens of thousands. My advice: if the car stalls in water, immediately shut off the power and call a tow truck—never risk restarting it. For deep water crossings, maintain a slow, steady speed to prevent stalling in the first place.
I think attempting to restart after water ingress completely counts as a secondary ignition attempt, because the ignition command has already been issued, it's just that the system failed. Stalling in water is a common issue - water seeping into the engine compartment can short-circuit the ECU or spark plugs, causing no response to ignition signals. However, this secondary ignition attempt carries extremely high risks, as it can easily cause water to flow back and damage internal components, ultimately resulting in repair costs exceeding that of a new car. I remember last time my friend's car got flooded - not knowing better, he kept trying to restart it and ended up with a completely ruined engine. I strongly recommend immediately cutting all power when stalling in water and having professionals inspect the electrical system, rather than messing with it yourself. Avoiding deep water areas when parking can significantly reduce such troubles in daily use.
No response when attempting to start the engine after water immersion is essentially a secondary ignition attempt, as you're trying to activate the ignition system again. After stalling in water, the engine or electronic components may be blocked by water, causing the ignition signal transmission to fail. However, never attempt repeated ignition, as this can allow water to penetrate deeper and severely damage the engine, leading to skyrocketing repair costs. My advice is to stop the vehicle immediately and seek assistance, rather than making a second attempt.
