yeah definately sounds like fuel delivery problem, how deep was the water and did it go up to the gas cap? How aobut the evap canister was it damaged or ripped off? I know someone on here had theirs ripped off and the fuel tank sucked in alot of mudd and water.

How does it sound when it runs for the cpl seconds? After you try cranking it without using the starter fluid check the spark plugs to see if they are wet from fuel. Did anything come out of the plug holes when you first took them out? How wet was your filter/air box?

 

Check for water in your evap can...see if the hoses are ok and the can is not broken.

 

[FONT="Arial Black"]HYDROLOCK!![/FONT

Good luck!

 

Sounds like a fuel delivery problem.

 

I don't know if there is a fuel shut off switch or not but if the fuel pump is running that doesn't appear to be the cause for it not firing on its own.

My guess is that the mass air flow sensor may have been damaged if water did inter the intake. There are a couple different styles of MAF sensors used today but I don't know what the 3.8L JK uses. A few of the styles out use a fine gauge wire as part of the sensor that may have broke (replacement required to fix). This would cause the ECU to believe that there is no air flow entering the intake thus ECU does not inject fuel into the cylinders.

This is where technology can really bite you in the ass! Best of luck to you on getting that thing running!

 

WHAT IS HIS FUEL GAUGE READ "FULL / M/T" and no - no cut off s/w man i know that he is going to get a toung lashing when he gets home //// the ever famous "DAMMIT I TOLD YOU"

 

There's not a fuel shut off switch to MY knowledge. If there is, it is only there to detect an impact as in an accident to cut off the fuel pump. Did you hit something hard? I am familiar with Ford's systems in that area. Their switches are usually on the passenger side, right beneath the carpet on the right hand side of the transmission tunnel as it begins to transition into the firewall. Also, they put some in the passenger side kick panel. I know it ain't a Ford, but sense no one else has answered you yet, I thought I'd throw it out there. Have you spun the engine with plugs in it yet? How does it sound when it spins over? Like it's old self trying to start, or are there any "dead spots"?

 

Never ever use starter fluid (ether) in these engines unless you're out of warranty and want to put in something different.
Keep it up and you will be replacing the engine.

 

i checked everything that i could think of. no damage appears to be done to the EVAP canister. wires are in tact on it also. pulled a O2 sensor off, doesn't seem like there's water in the exhaust.
there are two lights that stay on when i attempt to start the jk, the engine light and the lightning bolt/throttle body light.
the negative battery terminal was disconnected several times for long periods, plus all the other things: oil change, blew out spark plugs, used MAF cleaner spray on MAF.
I CAN'T SEE ANY DAMGE TO ANYTHING UNDER THE HOOD OR ELSEWHERE. all wires are connected, to the best of my knowledge. thank you for all help. i'm leaving the hotel so my wife will be reading this back to me. please include details, big or small if you have any more advice for me. if not, send money donations to Attica , IN or someone find me a job 'round here
thanx ALL

 

Same thing just happen to me yesterday. No water down the intake however Jeep would not start for awhile, finally started ran like crap. I found the fitting on the back of the evap can was/came off. Don't know how that could have happen becasue it takes a 1/4 turn to remove it and it is also keyed. Anyhow, finally got it running, did another water crossing and it started running like crap again, no power, wanting to cut out engine ligt blinking, etc. Pulled that evap can fitting (it was still on) but drained more water out. I limped home about 120 miles and for the most part it ran good (engine light on) however 10 miles from hom it quit, could not start for 15 mins, then it did and made it home. About to go out and check out the eval can again.