bjterry62

Hi folks!

I have an '00 ES300 and I'm having an issue that no one can seem to solve. During the last snow here in NE, I had a directional conflict with the corner of a retaining wall. The impact was at VERY low speed and only cut a vertical slice in my front bumper right in front of my left headlight and bumped the headlight out of alignment. However, since then, any time I drive in the rain the car dies within about 5 miles of travel. Also, on very wet days, it will not start at all. The starter turns the engine over fine and the fuel pump is pumping fuel. However, this moisture thing keeps killing the engine.

I've had three places look at it and no one seems to be able to find the problem. I have not had the bumper replaced yet, but I was wondering if maybe there was some wiring underneath the bumper that might have been damaged that could be causing this issue. The SRS did not deploy, but perhaps the wiring for it is damaged. Could this cause this kind of problem with the engine dying? I would REALLY like to hear from anyone that has come across this or a similar problem. Or perhaps that has had front impacts that caused wierd things to happen later.

Thanks,

BT

Lexucan

"Directional conflict"....I like that! LOL
It sounds to me like you are on the right track with your theory that the problem could be related to some damaged wiring behind the bumper cover. I've not personally had such a problem, but I work with electronics all the time, and if wires get damaged and potentially cause a short-circuit, all sorts of weird occurances can and do happen. And the fact that in your case, it happens when it has or is raining adds more credence to the theory that damaged wires are getting wet and shorting out.

bjterry62

Another thing I was wondering. I have been looking for a replacement bumper, but I can't find any specifically for the 2000 year model. I've found them for '97 - '99, is it the same? I've looked at it closely and they seem to be, but I just wanted to make sure. And if they're not, does anyone have a link to a supplier for a 2000 ES300 front bumper?

Thanks again.

BT

bjterry62

UPDATE!!!

Found the problem. It seems that is a wiring harness directly behind the impact point that took the brunt of the impact. Got things taken care and the car is running fine now.

BT