Half Flooded 4runner. PLEASE HELP WITH ISSUES

mshaner152

mshaner152

New member
Alright, so last week I took my 07 stock 4runner (yea I know, bad move) out on the trails. After making it through a few puddles I got brave and tried a big boy... bad idea. I got stuck and had about 3 mayyybe 4 inches of water in my floorboards (front and back). Water was right at the top of my tires. Everything seems to still be working properly but I have a few issues now.... If someone could please HELP!!

1. Alternator- alternator is making a whining noise. I tested the power steering fluid and that is not the issue. The noise increases with the increase of gas pedal. Also, I know it's coming from alternator because I took a long screw driver, placed the bit end on the alternator, placed my ear on the handle, and I could hear the noise. Any thoughts??

2. Rear Window, Rear Defrost, Rear Wiper- None of them work with the center console switches. When I use the key on the back to roll the window up and down it works, but not with center switch. I tried fiddling with the wiper as I read from other posts but not help. Could it be a fuse???

3. Key FOB doesn't work - No buttons on either of the FOBs (2) work. Both worked prior to this incident. After talking with a car guy I know he thought it might be the Transponder Key Computer or the Key FOB amp?

4. Carpet - What is the best way to get my carpet and under my carpet clean? Would it best to take a few days and pull everything out of the interior to get the carpet out and clean it properly and let it dry? Is there anywhere I can buy the foam inserts that go under the carpet?

Any thoughts on these issues I would greatly appreciate it guys. Thanks

Any thoughts would help guys.
 
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Is your truck a V6? I know that on the Fj Cruiser with the 4.0L V6 it is an all too common problem that when they enter deep water, they will end up with squealing pully bearings. That might also be your noise.

For the carpet. Wow that is going to be a pain. I had an issue with tailgate leaking into the truck.

I got fed up of the smell and pulled the carpet. All my interior seats, carpet and trim came off. I used some cleaning product that was also good for mildew. Worked decently enough. Mine is a 2003. If the carpet in a 2007 hasn't changed, then the under padding soaks up all the water. And it never seems to dry. The water get trapped between the padding and the rubber backing of the carpet itself.

I left it out in the summer sun for days but it never fully dried. So then I removed the backing. Which is stuck on with some super toyota glue meant to outlive the truck or something. Then it dried. And used foam carpet cleaner to clean the carpet. I think I had even presure washed it.

I ended up replacing the padding with some under carpet foam I got from HomeDepot. It was meant for padding basement carpeting. Supposed to resist mold and mildew, and not be harmful for breathing.

One tip on this. If you decide to pull the carpet, and remove the padding. Trace out the padding on the rubber of the carpet with a colored marker so you know where the padding goes. Try to remove the padding in sections so you can trace out a replacement.


good luck.
 
Yea it is a v6. My buddy told me to use some all purpose cleaner on the outside parts of the engine and then wd-40 the sH*t out of it. He said most likely it's the pulley in the alternator.

As for the carpet, I'm definitely going to have to pull that out. Thanks for the tips on outlining the foam and other helpers.

Do you have any thoughts regarding the key FOB or the rear window stuff?
 
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Here is what the floorboard looked like after I drained most of the water outwet floor board.jpg
 

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I did this once in my old Grand Cherokee. Interior had about 3 inches if water inside. I took all the seats out and vacuumed everything until it looked like "pre-flood" condition. The major problem is that 6 hours later I had another inch of water in the floorboards. I'd vacuum that out and then after some more time, another inch! The water kept seeping out, that was the problem.
I would advise you to pull the carpet out completely and clean it well. Let it dry 100%! Or you could just go buy some carpet that is used and replace.
As for the interior electrical problem, check the fuses before you do anything too drastic.
Alternator- buy a new one if the noise is driving you nuts!
 
Yea the relay switches on the drivers side and passenger side doors had water in/around them. I cleaned those out well and everything is working properly.

Do you know of any websites/places to get new carpet besides the dealership (I'm sure they charge a fortune) ?? I thought about putting vinyl back in as well. Not sure yet.
 
I dont know of any sites, sorry. Maybe some other members will chime in. Make some calls to local junk yards, maybe a 4R was totaled recently. I've seen some carpet for sale here and on toyota120 before, so search the forums and maybe start a WTB thread.
 
Let me know where you find a Carpet, Ive been looking for one for 4Th Gen for awhile and can't seem to find it at all.
 
I would say just go to a fabric store and do something custom now that you have it all off. It should be easy to lay the new stuff to the old and make sure it all fits. Maybe look into sub layers there as well. I love the fabric store, currently looking to make my own seat covers!
 
^^

what kind of fabric store (excuse my ignorance)? Do you mean like just a local store in my area or something specific?
 
I never found a interior carpet replacement other than from the dealer or online dealer store.

I didn't check any custom interior place but I doubt they give them away either.
 
A couple places for carpet (Google search), & some info:<O:p></O:p>
Toyota 4Runner Carpet & Floor Protection - JCWhitney<O:p></O:p>
Carpet Kit - Auto Parts Warehouse<O:p></O:p>
4runner carpet/matting - YotaTech Forums<O:p></O:p>


Also, I think you are getting the purpose of the transponder Key Computer & the Key amp confused. There IS a transponder Key Computer, and there is an amp. But they actually have nothing to do with the fobs or keyless entry. It is for reading the chip in the keys which allows the ECM to start the vehicle (engine immobiliser system). The fobs communicate with the keyless entry Door Control Receiver, which is in the back of the vehicle - driver's side.

Since you are having problems with the rear door wiper/window/defrost, it seems you might have an issue with the multiplex network back door ecu, or even the back door lock assembly. The lock assembly could cause the system to not set by remote, however you would most likely get the steady tone if trying to set and it was getting an error. It also probably wouldn't have any effect on the back door window/wiper/defrost. So if you had water intrusion into the cargo area, it may have at least gotten into some connectors, etc for the system, which run along the door sill channels. Judging by the pictures, you had water over the sills. The wiring in back run a little higher up, then drop down over the rear wheel wells to the sills.

After checking fuses, I would take the rear door panel off and disconnect the connectors for the units and start shooting wires to the body ecu, etc, to check for voltage & grounds where you should have them. Also make sure you don't have any shorts which would be caused by the water on the terminals. Definitely inspect the multiplex unit well for evidence of water intrusion. It is in the rear door. If need be, take the cover off, clean with alcohol, and dry with compressed air.


EDIT: I just reread your post and you stated that you could operate the window with the key. That's interesting. I'm going to look at some diagrams again and see if I can come up with anything :wtf:

Good luck...:cry2:
 
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How high up on the center console area did the water reach? I can't tell by the picture. I can see that it got up a couple inches on your door panel, and because of this I would also take the door panels off - front & back to get anything out that shouldn't be in there. Dry it out really good so you can try to stop any rusting from starting, or getting worse.

Can you post some more pictures of the interior with the carpet out? Passenger side, & back seat area along with cargo area. One more of the driver's side with better lighting would be ideal. Oh, and one of the center console area up to the instrument panel would help too.

I would also definitely remove the heater ducts going to the floor and clean them out. Otherwise you may get a nice mildew, or mold sample after a while. Nice & healthy to breathe in. Especially if there's an odor with it (added bonus). Pretty easy to remove.

BTW, what were you thinking??? I wouldn't exactly call that a puddle LOL!
 
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So I figured I'd give you guys an update on the progress. I have fixed all the electronic issues. The relays had water in/around them. Sprayed them out with computer air duster and everything is good. Alternator is still squalling, but I'm working on it. As for the major part, the interior, I cleaned out the floorboard and now there is barely any dried up mud and nooo water. I have cut off all foam padding and carpet on both sides is completely dry. Next step is to shampoo the carpet and dry it. I found a local auto upholstery place that sells the exact same padding so I am picking that up today. A few more days and the rig will be good as new. I'll post pics once I have everything done! Thanks for all the help.
 
nr0974 said:
Let me know where you find a Carpet, Ive been looking for one for 4Th Gen for awhile and can't seem to find it at all.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I would like a precut carpet for my 4th gen too. I have found them for 3rd gen, but not a 4th gen.
 
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