Should the entire wiring system of a flood-damaged car be replaced?
2 Answers
A flood-damaged car's entire wiring system needs to be replaced. Here are the immediate steps to take for a flood-damaged vehicle: 1. Do not start the car: Never attempt to start the engine after the vehicle has been submerged in water (otherwise, you'll be responsible for all damages). 2. Take photos: Document the scene with photos, including the vehicle's license plate number (which can serve as evidence for insurance claims). 3. Contact your insurance company: Call your insurance provider's claim reporting hotline (you must report within 24 hours). 4. Call for rescue: Contact a towing service and inform your insurance company about which repair shop the vehicle will be taken to, so their adjusters can inspect it. 5. Move to a safe location: While waiting for rescue, if possible, disconnect the battery (remove the negative terminal), shift to neutral, and push the vehicle to a safe area.
As a car owner who has experienced flood disasters, I must say that the entire wiring harness needs to be replaced after water submersion. Although it's quite annoying, think about it: water seeping into the wiring can easily corrode the copper wires and insulation layers, which may lead to short circuits or even fires over time. I remember my car got flooded last year, with water reaching halfway up the tires. When I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic used diagnostic tools to detect abnormal resistance in the wiring and insisted on a full replacement to avoid sudden breakdowns or worse while driving later on. Insurance covered part of the cost, but it still set me back around three to four thousand yuan. Safety comes first, especially when it comes to electrical systems—the risks are too high. If not addressed promptly, an accident could happen anytime while driving. So unless the water only affected the surface, I'd advise against cutting corners on this expense. Take it to a reputable repair shop and get it thoroughly fixed.
