I have a 1999 Lexus es300 and it got stuck in a flooded area the water entered the car but it didn’t go above the seats it was only in the water for an hour max if that. Where is my ECU? Under my driver seat started smoking what could that be?

 

First step is disconnect the battery this is critical. After that everything electronic touched by water has to be inspected, cleaned or replaced. I mean everything. Engine computer is behind the glove box.

 

So all fuses are still good power seats still work but battery is draining and car won’t start. I hear the starter clicking over but it’s not cranking

 

Hello,

As written by LeX2K, literally any system that was touched by Water will have to be taken apart and thoroughly inspected, Water can seep in from most unexpected places and linger on for a long time, even if you don't see any adverse effects right now, you will see them in the Future unless you spend time now for a thorough inspection. Seeing how deep the car was, I would strongly suggest taking the Seats AND the Carpets out of the car, both for them to Dry, and to give you a way to Inspect all the Wiring and the ECUs that could've gotten drowned.

This also goes for anything under the Hood, the car is not new, you likely have a bunch of Seals that are leaking, that includes the Electrical Connectors and the Mechanics of the Starter Motor, which could be a reason it won't even try to turn over. Again, it will be a whole lot easier to do a thorough inspection Now than it will be sorting countless issues later when the Corrosion starts seeping in, which can literally happen at any point, it could be a week, it could be a year, but usually it happens when you expect it the Least.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

I've done flood restoration that car has to be stripped, all of it. Fluids have to be drained, water flushed out and replaced as needed.

 

So I charged the battery and it is trying to turn over but the motor sounds like it’s grinding. What does that usually mean? How is the best way to fix this issue without spending a lot of money?

 

Unless you can do all the work yourself, replace the car.

 

Ok my husband can do most stuff but what can we do?

 

Here's an extreme case be prepared to do at least some of this.