What is the reason for the motor not starting after water ingress?
3 Answers
After water ingress, the motor should not be started and drying treatment is necessary, but the temperature should not be too high, generally maintaining a constant temperature of 60 is appropriate. The following is a related introduction about motor classification: Hydraulic motor: It is conventionally referred to as an energy conversion device that outputs rotational motion and converts the hydraulic energy provided by the hydraulic pump into mechanical energy. High-speed motor: Gear motors have the advantages of small size, light weight, simple structure, good manufacturability, insensitivity to oil contamination, impact resistance, and small inertia. The disadvantages include large torque pulsation, low efficiency, small starting torque (only 60% to 70% of the rated torque), and poor low-speed stability. Vane motor: It is a hydraulic motor where the vanes in the rotor slots contact the housing (stator ring), causing the rotor to rotate under the action of the incoming liquid. Compared to other types of motors, vane motors have the advantages of compact structure, small outline dimensions, low noise, and long service life. Radial piston motor: It has excellent reverse characteristics, making the motor operation absolutely quiet, suitable for servo systems. It can work bidirectionally as a motor or pump.
I've encountered this situation several times while driving. When the motor gets flooded and fails to start, it's truly frustrating. The main reason is that water entering the motor's interior can cause circuit short circuits or component rusting, instantly cutting off power supply. I once tried to force-start it, only to blow a fuse and nearly damage the battery. Later, I learned my lesson: immediately turn off the ignition when flooding occurs, resist the urge to start the engine, and instead leave the car in a ventilated area for several hours to let the moisture evaporate. Meanwhile, check the fuse box and relays for any signs of melting. If you can't wait, it's best to call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop. This issue often arises from poor engine compartment sealing or driving too aggressively through waterlogged areas. For prevention, regularly inspect the motor's waterproof casing and avoid deep water zones while driving to spare yourself the trouble. In short, safety comes first—avoid forcing ignition to prevent more serious malfunctions.
With years of experience in car maintenance, I've seen many cases where motors fail to start after water ingress, often due to electrical short circuits caused by water or internal rust jamming the rotor shaft. When rainwater or accumulated water seeps into the motor coils or wiring, the current can't pass through, causing the motor to stop working. I remember the last time my car was flooded—after taking it apart myself, I found the connectors and contacts were all rusted, and even the headlight fuse had blown. The mechanic advised me to first disconnect the battery cables and then dry all the wet components to prevent ongoing corrosion of the circuits. In reality, water ingress isn't always just a motor issue; sometimes it can involve the alternator or sensors. That's why I recommend a thorough inspection of the wiring system as soon as possible—don't delay. If you frequently drive on wet roads, consider installing waterproof covers to reduce the risk of water damage.
