Hypothetical question about ECU and such

[mongosd2]

Just a hypothetical question about the electronics: what happens if you fry one of the ECU's while in the middle of nowhere? Just curious to see what you'd do in that case. Would you carry spares? Most ECU are vin specific so it's not like you can swap one from another vehicle. And this goes across all the Land Rover vehicle platforms. While some have simple ecu's, it still can be issue for even a 94 or 95 D90. D1's, D2's, Rangie's and such.

Just want to see what you guy's come up with for solutions for this...

 

[ini88]

I carry a spare ECU. Depends on the model truck but 3.9 and 4.2 ECU are interchangable.

The ECU are stronger than most people think. I dunked mine in swamp water for about 5 minutes. It was bad. The next morning after towning the truck back to camp we took the ECU out and opened it to expose the circuit board. We let the sun dry it out for about 4 hours. plugged it back in and it fired right up. Drove home 3 hours on that ECU and still have it working in the truck now.

Those 14CUX are old school and seems like they can take a beating compared to new electronics. I would carry one just incase, but my experience has shown me that it takes a lot to kill one.

 

[mongosd2]

yes, the 14cux one's are, but aren't they vin specific? D2's are...

keep it comin'

 

[Viggen]

yes, the 14cux one's are, but aren't they vin specific? D2's are...

keep it comin'

I dont believe that 14CUX ones are. They are as simple as it comes. The D2s are where you get a little more specific.

 

[Paladin]

If one were OK with carrying a spare 14Sucks, one could also also carry a spare D2 ECU. Just have the VIN in it changed before you leave.

If you don't have a spare, you're screwed. Start walkin.

Same as if you had carbs, and your distributor gear stripped, or any number of things that could leave you stranded.

 

[X-plorenow]

Great question! I am very interested in following this thread. I remember a thread a couple of months ago started by Scott Brady I believe regarding a running list of D1 spares to carry in the field. Anyone remember if there was a D2 list? If not we should start one.

Just a hypothetical question about the electronics: what happens if you fry one of the ECU's while in the middle of nowhere? Just curious to see what you'd do in that case. Would you carry spares? Most ECU are vin specific so it's not like you can swap one from another vehicle. And this goes across all the Land Rover vehicle platforms. While some have simple ecu's, it still can be issue for even a 94 or 95 D90. D1's, D2's, Rangie's and such.

Just want to see what you guy's come up with for solutions for this...

 

[Paladin]

There is a list that was started but didn't get far.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35286&page=3

IMO, carrying an ECU would be like carrying... a spare trans selector cable. Sure, it *could* break but... I have never seen any credible report of anybody ever actually being stranded because of a D2 electronics failure. It's something that is always thrown around as a reason the D2 sucks, but it never seems to happen in real life.

I think part of the reason is D1 owners look at all the electronics problems they have (window switches, alarm spiders, etc.) and assume those troubles will be multiplied by the number of electronics in the D2. Fact is, the D2 has more electronics, but they're just more reliable. (SLABS being the exception, but it won't leave you stranded).

 

[mongosd2]

There is a list that was started but didn't get far.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35286&page=3

IMO, carrying an ECU would be like carrying... a spare trans selector cable. Sure, it *could* break but... I have never seen any credible report of anybody ever actually being stranded because of a D2 electronics failure. It's something that is always thrown around as a reason the D2 sucks, but it never seems to happen in real life.

I think part of the reason is D1 owners look at all the electronics problems they have (window switches, alarm spiders, etc.) and assume those troubles will be multiplied by the number of electronics in the D2. Fact is, the D2 has more electronics, but they're just more reliable. (SLABS being the exception, but it won't leave you stranded).

D2 are not more reliable, they have way more issues from 3 amigos killing abs systems to Cpks sensors killing the truck with no warning. While it appears on thissite that no one has trip stopping events, it has happened, and hence the question.

With more of these now being turned into trail and off road trucks, the amount of problems will continue to surface. All it takes is one deep water crossing out in the middle nowhere to flood the truck, and your done...

 

[ArmyRover]

The 14cux ones are interchangeable with no vin worries. Just unplug the dead one toss in the new one and off you go.

I swapped a 4.2 ecu for my 3.9 ecu in 5 mins with no muss, no fuss and zero drama. That's one of the reasons I love the old RRC's

 

[David Harris]

Second on the 14CUX being interchangeable with no programming. However, the 96 and later GEMS one's have to be programmed for the truck ahead of time, or the security system will immediately lock the computer and there's nothing you can do in the field to get it started. I don't think the ECU's are unreliable unless they are subject to water/corrosion. Even in that case, you can open them up, dry them out and spray them with some circuit board cleaner and they will often work fine again. I have a good spare GEMS ECU from a 1996 Disco if anyone is interested in buying it. I bought it as a spare for my 96, but I am retiring the truck for parts or possible sale, so don't need it any more.

David

 

[Paladin]

D2 are not more reliable, they have way more issues from 3 amigos killing abs systems to Cpks sensors killing the truck with no warning. While it appears on thissite that no one has trip stopping events, it has happened, and hence the question.

With more of these now being turned into trail and off road trucks, the amount of problems will continue to surface. All it takes is one deep water crossing out in the middle nowhere to flood the truck, and your done...

3 Amigos is not going to leave you stranded. What's the difference between a D2 running with the Amigos on, vs. a D1 with the ABS fuse pulled because the ABS is horrible? Nothing.

Cpks, sure, that's why it's on the list of spares. It's a very small item to carry. Of course, I've thoroughly tested mine in water with no issues at all. So this isn't even a 100% thing as some say.

Any truck that gets flooded, is done. Until you dry out the computer. So, the GEMS also needs to be pre-programmed for VIN? I guess if you want to choose a 95 truck (14Sucks) based on that one simple factor well, that's up to you.

So who has had a trip-stopping event, on any site? I was going to link to Walter's poll on Dweb from 2 years back, but there's an NSFW image on page 1. 4 pages, not a single D2 specific show-stopper. Best they could come up with is 2 flooded trucks. Something that will stop anything with a computer, even a 14Sucks.

 

[David Harris]

Cpks, sure, that's why it's on the list of spares. It's a very small item to carry. Of course, I've thoroughly tested mine in water with no issues at all. So this isn't even a 100% thing as some say.

Yes. Surprisingly, you can submerge the crank sensor and it has no effect on running. I've done it many times and it's not effected by water. Don't know why. Actually in terms of running in water, the later trucks with GEMS and Bosch, etc are better in my opinion because they use coil packs rather than dizzys. The coil packs are much better sealed and in a safer location high behind the engine. You can protect the ECU by making a waterproof box for it vented up to a safe place.

David

 

[Paladin]

You can protect the ECU's just by spraying them with conformal coating, or pot them in epoxy compound. Waterproofing electronics is such a joke, it's really tragic that this community doesn't have a better handle on it.

The electrical connectors in a D2 are completely waterproof if they're in good condition. I screwed one up just by putting dielectric grease in them, and wish I hadn't.

 

[mongosd2]

What the "F" is your problem. I started this get some info what guy's are doing, but you show up and have every answer, all the knowledge and never have seen a D2 that died...

this is why this site sucks *** sometimes, go away if you have nothing to add, other stating the obvious


have fun in your dream world, I'm done...

 

[David Harris]

Don't see anything wrong in the info Paladin has given. D2's have more electronics to go wrong, sure, but the crucial things that will stop you in the middle of nowhere, like ECU's and crank sensors are really nothing more than any 96 and newer D1 as well, and can be dealt with just fine. The pre 96 LR's have their own separate set of problems, like dizzy wear, ignition amplifiers, etc. My own pet peeve about the 96 and newer trucks is the way some fault in the alarm system can shut the truck down randomly, and I'm not just talking about the well-known spider issue. That damn alarm is a problem and the one thing I would rather be able to just get rid of. It's so integrated that it's difficult to bypass completely, though.

David