Need help please. Odometer and dashboard gauges not-working 2000 LC

[goducks76]

I tried searching on the forums for an answer and couldn't quite find one.
There was a big rain storm and water appears to have gone down the A-Pillar into the fuse box area since I saw water pooled in the footwell area. The car would start fine after and the gauges and odometer worked but whenever I took the key out a constant beep alarm would come from the drivers side. Disconnecting the battery would stop the alarm but once I connected again it would start again. Don't think it is the brake booster like mentioned on the forums as cause of alarm. No check engine lights. After this have gone ahead and cleaned out the sunroof drain lines since they were probably clogged.
Ran a fan in the fuse box area over night to try to dry it out. The beeping sound is gone now but the dashboard gauges are non functional and the odometer won't appear. Car starts up, haven't tried to drive it anywhere though. Tested all the fuses, they are good. I am out of the ideas on what the issue is. Anyone experience this before and have suggestions on how to fix?


Thanks

 

[excessive]

1. identify and fix the leak
2. make sure everything is fully dry, i would put a dehumidifier in the truck for a week on full blast, to ensure everything is fully dry behind the carpet and behind the fuse panel.
3. pull out all fuses and relays, clean / spray down with electrical contact cleaner.
4. Beyond that , you've going to have to do serious electrical troubleshooting using the FSM procedures to identify where the short or damaged wiring is

 

[goducks76]

1. identify and fix the leak
2. make sure everything is fully dry, i would put a dehumidifier in the truck for a week on full blast, to ensure everything is fully dry behind the carpet and behind the fuse panel.
3. pull out all fuses and relays, clean / spray down with electrical contact cleaner.
4. Beyond that , you've going to have to do serious electrical troubleshooting using the FSM procedures to identify where the short or damaged wiring is

Thanks for your input. In the meantime is it safe to drive the vehicle?

 

[goducks76]

Getting closer to a solution after searching the forums. I removed the wire loom in below photo with the bolt that attaches it. Drying it out as we speak if it is wet. I put it back in and was jiggling on the bolt and my odometer and gauges reappeared temporarily but not permanently. Anyone have this happen before and can suggest the fix?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Sounds like you're still dealing with a short and water issues, as suggested I'd let it sit with air blowing on it and fix the leak.

 

[goducks76]

Sounds like you're still dealing with a short and water issues, as suggested I'd let it sit with air blowing on it and fix the leak.

Thanks. Air is blowing on it. Drain lines cleared. Water does not appear to be coming from windshield area. Crossing my fingers that things dry out and I can resolve without taking it in to a shop.

 

[Malleus]

Disconnect all the connectors you can find in that area and spray both male and female terminals with CRC QD plastic safe contact cleaner. This will clear all the water out. If your problem is water in the connector housings, this will solve the problem. Even if this isn't the problem, just running a fan in the floorboard won't clear the water out of the connector housings. You have to physically disconnect them and clean them out from the inside. If you leave them connected, the water in them will corrode the terminals, and then you'll really have a problem.

Unlike the connector housings in the engine compartment, the connector housings in the cabin are not sealed, and are subject to water intrusion.

This is not the only possibility, but it's a potential problem to investigate first, because it's the easiest to find and fix. If you have water behind the display, you'll have to pull it out to find that and fix whatever has been damaged.

As to whether it's safe to drive without a functioning display, I think you already know the answer to that.