2016 Flooded Fusion restore project and Hello!

[Kman91]

Hello!

 

I'm a handyman type guy, I love to modify cars and fabricate things (welding, etc.) among other hobbies.  I have a '68 Mustang and drive a turbo Miata and I'm also in the finishing stages (God willing!) of getting my oldest son's 1999 Ranger engine rebuilt and installed.

 

In August of last year I bought a 2016 Fusion that had been flooded (salvage title) at a discount so that I could fix it up for my son Marc, who's 16 and needs a car.  The car was supposed to have been flooded only about 1 ft from the floor, but inspection showed that it had been flooded up to the middle of the speedometer!  I was hesitant to keep it, but after a fluid change it did start right up, and most of the dash electronics seem to be working, so we kept it.

 

Now we're on the slow track in restoring this car.  We now have the trunk opener working, most of the door locks, most of the seat motors, and we have all the carpet removed.  We're going to clean everything, including the carpet, etc. and put some stuff on it all to kill the mold.  We have a lot of work to do, but the car seems very nice otherwise.  After we started it, I drove it around the block and it seems to work fine so far.

 

Regardless, it's been a real eye opener for Marc, and I've appreciated the time we've spent together so far.

 

I searched a little for flooded cars, but it doesn't seem there are any others on the list who have tried this?

 

I certainly appreciate a good list, so I'm hopeful we can all help each other out!

 

Keven

[robertlane]

Welcome to the Ford Fusion Forum!  I have a two 1969 Mustangs and some newer ones too - love them all.

 

I am glad that the electronics are worked out - that would be my biggest fear.

[Kman91]

Thanks Robert!

 

Yes, most of the electronics seem fine, and my suspicion is that the battery went dead before the water rose to the level of the upper electronics, and dried out before I charged it again.

 

The car looks brand new on the outside, but inside needs a serious cleaning obviously.  The seat switches are toast, but easily replaceable if I can find them.  I found the passenger side, but the driver's side looks a little harder.

 

My main concerns are the electronics. 

-I will most likely replace the airbag module since there is an airbag light and the airbag module is low in the console and is probably fried.  I've heard I may have to get it programmed for the VIN of the vehicle?

-The stereo/backup camera doesn't turn on yet.  We haven't gone through all the fuses, so it may be a fuse.

-The keyless entry doesn't yet work.  Could be a fuse.

-The passenger side doors don't lock, but we did get the front door to lock the other day so maybe it's just the motors, although I don't think the lock light is working either.  It may be the passenger side door module, but I'm not quite sure what that controls or if it has anything to do with the back door.

-The HVAC doesn't yet work.  The compressor turns on with the switch, but the fan motor doesn't turn.  I suspected electronics driving the fan but the module says "resistor" module, so I"m not sure there's any electronics in there.  It could be the fan is seized.  Not sure how hard that is to get to.

-I stripped a gear trying to get the drivers side seat track to work.  I may have to buy a new seat track.  I've considered making the gear (I'm a machinist) out of Delrin, but it sounds like a lot of trouble.

 

Other than that it just needs a good cleaning.  My son is getting his permit soon, so that may be good motive for him to work on it more, although I do not look forward to adding another teen to my insurance!

 

Keven

[robertlane]

8 hours ago, Kman91 said:

Thanks Robert!

 

Yes, most of the electronics seem fine, and my suspicion is that the battery went dead before the water rose to the level of the upper electronics, and dried out before I charged it again.

 

The car looks brand new on the outside, but inside needs a serious cleaning obviously.  The seat switches are toast, but easily replaceable if I can find them.  I found the passenger side, but the driver's side looks a little harder.

 

My main concerns are the electronics. 

-I will most likely replace the airbag module since there is an airbag light and the airbag module is low in the console and is probably fried.  I've heard I may have to get it programmed for the VIN of the vehicle?

-The stereo/backup camera doesn't turn on yet.  We haven't gone through all the fuses, so it may be a fuse.

-The keyless entry doesn't yet work.  Could be a fuse.

-The passenger side doors don't lock, but we did get the front door to lock the other day so maybe it's just the motors, although I don't think the lock light is working either.  It may be the passenger side door module, but I'm not quite sure what that controls or if it has anything to do with the back door.

-The HVAC doesn't yet work.  The compressor turns on with the switch, but the fan motor doesn't turn.  I suspected electronics driving the fan but the module says "resistor" module, so I"m not sure there's any electronics in there.  It could be the fan is seized.  Not sure how hard that is to get to.

-I stripped a gear trying to get the drivers side seat track to work.  I may have to buy a new seat track.  I've considered making the gear (I'm a machinist) out of Delrin, but it sounds like a lot of trouble.

 

Other than that it just needs a good cleaning.  My son is getting his permit soon, so that may be good motive for him to work on it more, although I do not look forward to adding another teen to my insurance!

 

Keven

 

It's going to be a really cool first car.  The colour is awesome too.

 

I suppose that we're all going to learn a lot about the Fusion as your journey takes you on cool neat experiences.