Sunk the minivan! NEW PIC

[PowerTrike]

Last weekend my parents went out on a nearby lake to do a little ice fishing with friends. My old man got lost on the way off somehow and hit a channel with thin ice. It went down fast. Everyone got out alright (I wasn't there) Next day we had to hire a vehicle recovery team with a diver to haul er out. The Caravan's totaled but luckily it had full coverage insurance and should be covered. What a mess! Supposedly its not worth being repaired, having sat under freezing water for a night.

Anybody else have any "thin ice" stories?

[x.system]

I don't think the insurance company is going to cover that if they find out it was on a lake. I know it wouldn't be covered in michigan, might be different where you are.

[HemiChallenger71]

I was going to say what X said, good luck with the insurance company covering it.

I RODE over open water (hydroplaned) with my 350X christmas day 2002, I didn't have any brakes so I came upon open water, about 12-16ft. wide to both sides of the canal, WOT in 6th gear and held it. I instantly slowed down a lot when I hit the water, but made it across to the other side. The back tire of the bike cought the edge of the ice, and flipped me off and the bike over several times. I bent my handle bars and that's it and rode home. Interesting to say the least.

[jeswinehart]

sure glad every body got and all is well PowerTrike. that had to be some very tense moments,,, wow !
a truck went thru the ice sevral years ago here in home town and they were coverd for every thing ,,, recovery cost and for the totaled vehical.
( insurance companys will total a submerged vehical in a heart beat cause of the eletronics/liabilty aspect end of it )
one thing wasn't covered though ,,, the sterio that was added to the truck.
a couple of my dive buddys recovered a stolen montecarlo from a ohio quarry. bought it for a dollar from the insurance company while it was still on the bottom in bowling green, ohio. they got it dried out and running and made a tremendious profit from the sale of it.

again ,,, glad everybody made it safely to shore.

john

[mymint87]

seems to me if ya replace the ECM. you should be back in business

[Red Rider]

ECM? Electronic CounterMeasures? That must be one high-tech minivan.

[yamaha225dx]

electronic control module = ECM

I would have to disagree that if you replace it that everything would be fine. once a vehicle is submerged in water (newer vehicles) the condensation never leaves, the wires corrode and cause all sorts of havac with the electrical system.... I have seen it and as John said most insurance companies total it out because of liability. I.E. air bag might not go off because of corroded wires causing extra resistance

[junjun01]

electronic control module = ECM

I would have to disagree that if you replace it that everything would be fine. once a vehicle is submerged in water (newer vehicles) the condensation never leaves, the wires corrode and cause all sorts of havac with the electrical system.... I have seen it and as John said most insurance companies total it out because of liability. I.E. air bag might not go off because of corroded wires causing extra resistance

Right On The Money....Once All The Electronics Gets Wet, They Never Get Normal...Have Seen It Many Times...This One Camry Keeps says That There Was Something Wrong With The Air bag...Because The Car Was Underwater,They Never Recover From That

[PowerTrike]

Yeah I've heard of many older carberated vehicles and snowmobiles that have went under being fixed and back in action again. But yeah all the electronic crap is messed up and the interior smells. lol. If it was me I might buy it back from the insurace and try to part it our for a little more but my parents don't want to mess with it. As far as insurance goes I was really suprised but I think they are going to come through and pay fer everything. I'll try to get some of the emabarrassing recovery photos I took up later when they are developed!!

[Howdy]

Hmmm, I am reading this thread and thinking evil thoughts towards my P.O.S. van. I couldn't do that though. ( I say that as I am looking for a lighter ). lol

Howdy

P.S. What type of van was it?

[junjun01]

P.O.S ?? :oops: ...What's That? :oops:

[Howdy]

P.O.S ?? :oops: ...What's That? :oops:

That is short for Peice of Sh**.
Howdy

[junjun01]

Oh.........Funny! :oops: :-D :oops: :-D

[PowerTrike]

Hmmm, I am reading this thread and thinking evil thoughts towards my P.O.S. van. I couldn't do that though. ( I say that as I am looking for a lighter ). lol

Howdy

P.S. What type of van was it?

lol Howdy. Hope ya get yer tranny situation fixed asap!

The sinker was a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan. Another emabarassing thing is that its my moms small business company vehicle and it had our Phone # and business (Fisher Signs) decals on the back window... cheap avertising for the onlookers watching it get pulled out i guess

[AirManCam]

Not true about the electronic stuff. I race snowmobiles and they are all digital and they are fine as long as you shut the motor off. Also you want to kill all electricty.