Howdy folks, hope you're all doing well. I own a '11 Panamera S with almost 80,000km on it. Drives like a beauty, and works like a beauty, even with the damage it sustained.

Recently with the floods that we've faced in our city, some water got into our Panamera. It was around an inch at the "feet area" of each seat, whether in the front or back.

This post isn't just addressing this minor flood damage, but rather even more concerns I have from before. I am very new to running this car as my dad gifted it to me, and normally it's my father that is taking care of it and whatnot. Please bear with me as I am 17 years of age.

Some also got into the battery compartment in the back, and it short circuited the Body Control Module (which we replaced, and the car works perfectly now, aside from some hiccups I'll go over)

Spoiler
For some reason, it worked went up and down but then started giving a Spoiler Fault, very weird. I assume that perhaps a mechanic installed it wrong or something got in, which is possible. I doubt any water got in as the water only reached the exhaust level.
The spoiler right now remains extended, and it is inside the building parking, meaning protected from the elements. The spoiler button in the center console (I mean the one in the middle of the Panamera) is not turned on, normally you would see a red light if it's extended. We tried driving up to speed then slowing down (which should extend and de-extend the spoiler) but it appears that it did not work, and it gave us a spoiler fault.

I'm wondering which electronic part is responsible, because perhaps there's something wrong with the electronics? Trying to press the button inside the car does not work, and the red light is not on despite the spoiler being extended. Meaning, any parts to replace?

Bose Speakers
As I stated before, water got into the battery compartment into the back, and if some of you are familiar with the Bose Sound system, it is next to the battery in the 'Panny S. It short circuited as well. I am unsure on where to look for a replacement, and I would appreciate if anyone could tell me if I could just replace it with anything to just allow the sound system to work. Doesn't need to be top tier sound. So, any alternatives or would I just have to search for the actual part and actually replace it? (I wouldn't mind, but sound quality is really not that much of a massive deal for me, so a cheaper alternative would be fine that would still fit).

Right Headlight
The right headlight for some reason does not work, while the left headlight is A-Okay, perhaps it's a fuse? No idea. Gonna take a look at it very soon as it was working fine literally two hours ago.

Alarm System
The alarm system is the main thing which triggered most of the issues we are facing, as it was automatically activated as soon as the water piled in. Even till now when the car is moving, you can see the alarm lights blinking (the little red lights that turn on and off on the passenger and driver door). The alarm is disabled and does not work, as me and my father tried to test it by me sitting inside, locking the Panamera once and trying to open it from the inside.

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Misfiring Engine (?)
No idea if my engine is misfiring, a "Porsche-experienced" mechanic told me it is and told me that the 7th cylinder has been de-activated, and that it's OK to drive.
I'm hearing mixed opinions about driving with it, as the 7th cylinder is de-activated, can I perhaps delay this repair for a month or two? The car is not being used as a daily driver, but more of a once a week fun car.

I am probably going to change all the spark plugs on it, not a big deal.

Although, I do hear a ticking noise from the engine. I've looked up some videos and many other Porsches, it seems to be the normal running sound lol, so I might be a bit paranoid.

I would really appreciate it if anyone can provide some possible solutions for the previously mentioned and any possible replacements, as it's difficult to get ahold of genuine parts in here. Perhaps parts from other Porsches or VWs, Audis, etc.

If anyone can also tell me on any more possible damage that might've happened, which we're unaware of. We had a mechanic take a look at it, and these are the faults that we are aware of, but I don't know, got a weird feelin bout it.

Again, the water was around one inch in the feet area of the chairs in both the front and the back.

Man, this bit of water really messed up the car. It's really sad to see it in a state like this but at the same time, I'm really shocked by the resilience.

Thanks in advance for anyone helping me with this.

 

These cars have an impressively intelligent sensor system that catalogs faults and can be read by PIWIS software. Some mechanics have it, or you can build your own setup, or find a member near you that has it - where are you located? Knowing the specific system faults will help troubleshoot.

For the Bose amp, I would try to get the part number from it so you can get the exact match online. Looks like theres a couple on ebay in the $250 range but worth to double check that it's the right one.

The spoiler has openings (when you open the trunk) that should be cleaned out once in a while as they collect leaves etc. and can soak the motor if they aren't able to drain properly.

 

Did you have a shop actually go in and fix/check things after the flooding happened? I know you said you replaced the BCM but it sounds like you DIY'd it?

A lot of these sound like electrical gremlins, which tracks with being flooded. Have you checked all of the fuses? Aside from the ones listed in the normal manual, there are probably more hidden in various places. I know for sure the 971 has way more fuses (including under the driver's seat) than what are listed in the manual.

Check the service manual links in the sticky (https://rennlist.com/forums/panamera...-guides-2.html), for example if you download the manual for Electrical and search "978409" you'll see where all the fuse boxes are.

There could be fuses you missed from the first time you tried fixing the car, or there could be residual moisture that shorted fuses again after you think you fixed it all.

 

You probably don't want to hear this, but an inch over the carpet is a lot of water for a car. Harnesses run along the sides of the bottom and there are typically modules under the seat and under the car. I'm pretty sure there is a fuse box under the seat as well. There is a reason insurance carriers total these things. Was it fresh or brackish/salt water? If the latter, just walk away and sell it for what you can. I've been thru this exact situation and the entire interior had to be removed to dry out the carpet, foam and whatever harnesses run down each side of the chassis. It was a truck, so my front differential was full of water and a towing module in the rear under the gas tank was no good. The harnesses on the floorboard were dried out and the car gave me no problems until I got rid of it 5 years later.

Do your taillights and side indicators work ok? On VAG cars they are usually fused by driver/passenger side, instead of headlights, side markers, tail lights etc. Checking fuses is a good start. These cars have several fuse blocks. Also, any connectors or components you are having trouble with, remove the connectors and check for corrosion. Most automotive connectors are made to be water resistant with rubber seals, not water proof, so if water gets in it stays and festers.

You really need a PIWIS or a bidirectional scan tool to see the specific faults or this is not going to be a fun time. You can get an icarsoft or autel for 300-440 dollars. Where did you source the BCM? There may be a different part number for different years on the same chassis and it may require coding.

 

@djdonte
That's exactly what we did, and yeah it was around an inch, maybe less but I'm generalizing overall. You do have a point in possibly trying to sell it but I'm not really in a position to consider selling it right now, since the market is flooded with flooded vehicles. The carpet and interior was fully removed, connectors dried and everything turned out dry and clean. Even the right headlight started randomly working again just an hour ago (god knows how).

Yes, all the lights work fine, surprisingly. When the flooding happened in the parking, the car's alarm system was on and it was in hazard move (blinking on and off). Meaning for SURE water came into contact with the fuses. Despite that, I'll be taking a look at the fuse boxes again just in case and replacing anything after checking the scan tool.

Regarding the BCM, it is the exact same part, matter of fact that is why it was super difficult to come by and we got lucky to find a donor car (these Panamera S's are very rare at where I live).

Regarding fault scanners I'm going to have that done really soon, since another replier recommended I do that. I'll most likely reply the fault codes whenever.

Thank you for your advise and I will consider selling it, but genuinely it is a beautiful car, and I would love to keep something my dad gave me, if you get what I mean.

 

If the fuse blocks got wet I would consider replacing them, or at the very least take it all apart and clean it up. That would save you a ton of headache.

 

@PandaSPUR

Yep, we went to a shop that got all of this. Initially when some water subsided, we went to unlock the car and disconnect the battery and whatnot.

Going to be scanning the codes and taking a look at the fuses very soon at a different shop this time, since the one we went to is a bit, off.

Thanks.

 

Many recommended, you included, to scan the faults. Will do that very soon at a different mechanic.

Regarding the bose amp, I don't live in the US so I might have to order one directly and ship it here. They don't all exactly match up with the part except one or two I saw, which is fine.

I'm probably gonna investigate into trying to find an alternative at least temporarily.

Gonna take a look at the spoiler as soon as I'm done with my finals in around a week.

 

Got it, will probably take a look at it as soon as I'm done with my finals which is in around a week.
I do assume fuses got wet since the lights were going crazy when the flooding just happened (not right now, everything seems pretty clear and the car drives AMAZING, tested it yesterday. As good as new if anything), for example the brake light being activated and one blinker being on, it was weird.
After letting the car dry everything returned to normal, but it might be safe to assume that there's still some moisture there.

 

Update : Fixed the spoiler.
Basically, it was extended. Turned the car on and drove a bit until I reached a low speed and the spoiler lowered, then I simply turned off the car (after putting it park, of course!).
Turned the car on, and the spoiler started working as normally, can extend and go back down and works with the sports and sports plus mode.

Additionally. the headlight started working randomly..? I turned off the car because the right headlight wouldn't work. Waited for like 30 seconds then turned it on, and low and behold, it started working magically. No idea how or what might be the issue, but if it works it works. :shrug:

Now the only thing remaining is to take care of the sound system, take a look at the engine and swap some sensors from this water flood.
If you guys still see this, it would be great if you can take a look and tell me if this sound is normal:

Thank you all for the advise and help, looking forward for more! Enjoy your evening.