Drove through puddle and immediately heard electrical shorting out.

[ObsceneJesster]

On my way home from work this morning, I drove through a puddle while getting on a highway ramp. Before I could get off the ramp, I started hearing an electrical short over on the passenger side of the vehicle towards the front. The sparking/shorting sound lasted for about 30 seconds but then I could feintly smell that distinct smell of electrical wires shorting or burning.

The vehicle is a 2015 XLT and no warning lights popped up. With today being Sunday, my dealers service department is closed so I figured I'd ask around here to see if anyone has experienced a problem like this or to see if someone knows what might have happened.

I find it odd that a vehicle like an Explorer can't drive through a little rain puddle without having electrical wires burn. Hopefully the dealer can find what wire started burning/shorting.

 

[peterk9]

This is, I believe, the first such incident that has been reported here. Have you checked for any visible signs of arcing under the hood? Usually an incident like that should have blown a fuse. Good luck.

Peter

 

[ObsceneJesster]

As soon as I got home, I popped the hood but couldn't see anything. After the event, I drove the rest of the way home and no warning light ever popped up plus everything seemed normal. I would imagine however that there is a burnt up wire sitting somewhere.

I also forgot to mention that only the right tires hit the puddle.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

It finally stopped raining so I could go out and get a good look under the hood. I don't see any burnt wires but that doesn't mean anything since I'm sure there are plenty I can't see.

Another thing it could have been is the alternator which I noticed is right where all of the water would have hit. The alternator actually sits towards the bottom of the engine compartment on the passenger side. Am I right in thinking it could have been the alternator making this noise after getting wet. The more I think about it the moreit sounds like that could have been it. Would the alternator have made a sparking/arching sound if it got really wet? If so would the alternator be damaged after getting wet?

 

[ObsceneJesster]

One more thing I forgot to mention. When I turned the car off immediately after I started hearing the noise, the noise stopped. After turning the car back on the noise hung around for roughly 30 seconds more. This also leads me to believe it could have been the alternator making the noise.

 

[markls8]

Sure does sound like the alternator from your description, and the smell fits too. Sometimes it's the dirt and grit in the water, and not the water itself that can cause longer-term problems, especially in areas like switch contacts. Can you get in a position underneath to see the remains (water or drop marks) of water spray on the outer case of the alternator to confirm it got hit by water?

But being warm or hot from being run it would have dried out quickly, giving less time for corrosion to happen, and making it less likely that corrosion would get a foothold to do much damage. I think you'll find out soon, if not already, if it's going to be a problem.

Having said all of that, I'm surprised to hear that the alternator would be (might be?) unprotected from severe and often salt-laden wheel spray. And I would mention it on my next servicing for them to check, if you have no further related issues.

All of which you probably already knew.

 

[Uaglio]

could it have been water splashing up on a really hot component underneath, like a red hot exhaust manifold or cat? Sometimes the sound of water hitting hot metal can sound like arcing, and even the steam vapor may have that faint electrical burning smell.

 

[Bobmbx]

I would suggest the sound was a wet belt, and the smell was steam from water hitting the exhaust system.

If it was electrical, and loud enough for you to hear it in the vehicle, you'd be replacing a bunch of fuses already.

 

[MarkM]

I would have to lean towards it not being an electrical issue. If your alternator was damaged and wasn't operating properly, you'd know in short order. You very well could have splashed dirt or other debris into the belt drive or the alternator itself and had this issue. The fact that it went away with the engine off and came back with it on suggests that. I wouldn't worry much about it, just keep it in the back of your mind.

 

[FordService]

...Hopefully the dealer can find what wire started burning/shorting.

I'm confident they'll be able to help, ObsceneJesster. I'll escalate this to your regional customer service manager so they can get involved as well; send me a PM with your info and I'll get started. Be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal

 

[blanchard7684]

are you sure this wasn't traction control or stability control working?

 

[Halwg]

It wasn't an electrical issue or the car would have caught fire, and you would no longer be an ObsceneJesster, you would be a CrispyCritter. Stop worrying about problems that are not there.