A/T temp light flickers after fording water

[JBThompson]

We got a TON of rain Wednesday night, lots of flooding all over the area. I crossed through a flooded intersection on my way home from work, maybe 6-8" deep, nothing I thought to be an issue. But now my tranny temp light flickers on and off, doesn't come on solid, just a dim flicker. I thought maybe the connection just got wet but after drying out yesterday it hasn't corrected itself so now I'm curious to whether I have a bad sensor now, or if I managed to take on water in the transmission.

Any suggestions?

 

[dieseltechJay]

I'd try hosing it down with some WD-40 and see if that helps. Sometimes just drying out isn't enough. Sensor isn't likely bad, but could be. Wouldn't hurt to check out all the variables. Doubtful your tranny took on water, but you can check the fluid just to rule it out.

 

[KK6POV]

DO NOT PUT WD40 ON IT! Dry it out with the highest % of Isopropyl you Can get your hands on, or some electronic sensor cleaner from an auto store. Then prior to reinstalling it put some dielectric grease or silicone on it and plug it back in. If you want to get into troubleshooting then you could try and jump the (assuming two pins) together to turn the light on.

 

[dieseltechJay]

DO NOT PUT WD40 ON IT! Dry it out with the highest % of Isopropyl you Can get your hands on, or some electronic sensor cleaner from an auto store. Then prior to reinstalling it put some dielectric grease or silicone on it and plug it back in. If you want to get into troubleshooting then you could try and jump the (assuming two pins) together to turn the light on.

I'm talking about just spraying on the outside. WD-40 doesn't have any properties that will harm it. The idea is to disperse the water that may be there. Adding alcohol isn't likely to help. I do agree that if you want to do something at higher than half-a$$ed effort then take it out, clean it, and use the dielectric grease or silicone to protect the connection is a great idea.

 

[JBThompson]

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas. I have serious doubts that water got into the fluid but I like to rule out any possibilities. Wet connectors makes sense, however, new symptom. The lights for the t-case keep flashing now, and the battery light is flickering right along with the temp light now. I say it's flickering now, only because I didn't see it before. It might have been earlier and I just didn't see it in the daylight. I'm going to test the alternator tomorrow, my guess is it's getting ready to call it quits.

 

[KK6POV]

I'm talking about just spraying on the outside. WD-40 doesn't have any properties that will harm it. The idea is to disperse the water that may be there. Adding alcohol isn't likely to help. I do agree that if you want to do something at higher than half-a$$ed effort then take it out, clean it, and use the dielectric grease or silicone to protect the connection is a great idea.

Haha ok! Scared me for a second! Wd40 will conduct and therefore not really solve any problems. It also has the potential to damage the plastic connector and/or any gasket in the plug.