Ideas?! Electrical problem after floodwater problem
 

Hi- I'm just looking for any suggestions/diagnoses from people who understand an electrical system better than I....which is probably everyone.

A few weeks ago, we had flooding near my house, and the car was in up to the top of the door sills with rainwater. Afterwards, the car has this strange delay (~0.75 seconds) between turning the key and cranking. Occationally, it doesnt crank at all...doesn't even try. (cranks again if I try a few minutes later)

Is there anyway floodwaters could cause this? I would speculate maybe there's corrosion on the starter or something...and it's not getting the proper amount of juice? Any ideas at all would be helpful, thanks!

Starter solenoid probably got wet... this is the "on" switch for the high voltage side of the starter. Might get away with cleaning it.....Was the water into the car??

Hey- there was no water in the interior of the car as far as I could see, although the clutch pedal started making squeaking noises afterwards, so I presume it got wet someplace. My dad also thought the problem could be with the starter solenoid, and explained what that is.

Does anyone know where the starter solenoid is on the RX8??? Is it relatively low in the engine? Is it an expensive item to get repaired or replaced?

dont know cost, but it is underneath the car, on the drivers side, where the tranny bolts to the engine