Started, quit, and the mystery began...
- Thread starter Spark6
- Start date
Oh, the lower fender is all sorts of rotted out! Looks like a PO tried to patch it with a piece of aluminum, but A) much of the damage had likely already been done to the ECM case, and B) the patch left a large gap and was letting spray in.
Long term, I’ll have to weld up a permanent repair for the wheel wells. That’ll have to wait until I can pick up my welder from storage this summer though. In the meantime, I’ve improved the patch temporarily, and am mocking up a light aluminum sheath for the ECM, which I’m hopeful will add some additional protection.
LRDone, I’ll be very interested to see what you come up with for your enclosure! In my mind’s eye, I envision something akin to one of those new-fangled Tupperware containers with the watertight latching lids, allowing you to quickly remove the ECM if needed. My current solution is much more crude - just cut and bent aluminum flashing, that I’ll rivet together and seal with silicone. I have long term plans for this rig, but I’m constrained by our apartment parking lot until the wife and I can buy a house with a garage.
So, mostly for interest’s sake, I took a brush to the bottom of our old ECM before using it as a template to build my ECM-armor (1.0) project. Honestly, I’m stunned the thing ran as long as it did. The amount of detritus and corroded material that came out of there was astounding, and the free path for moisture ingress means the box must have been on borrowed time for a while now. Moral of the story, check your wheel wells! We clearly inherited a problem that had been developing for years. The curse of living in a place that pickles it’s roads. Robertf, if you still want the carcass, shoot me a PM and we can work out the details!
It's pretty crazy how hidden the ecm issue was. I'm glad you got it figured out. My waterproofing plan is making a enclosed steel waterproof sleeve/box for the ecm. Then I was going to splice in a few waterproof round pin through wall deutsch connectors that are twist lock. Obviously my hands are full with the interior right now but once I have everything sorted out, module waterproofing is my master plan. I really love the idea of stock location but bullet proof? lol
Yeah, this one definitely pushed the limits of our diagnostic abilities and (my) patience at times! Hopefully we've put this particular issue to rest.
I like the stock location for simplicity and packaging, but you're absolutely right, LR, it seems a bit vulnerable, especially as these trucks age. The steel box sounds like a good solution. I look forward to seeing it!
I like the stock location for simplicity and packaging, but you're absolutely right, LR, it seems a bit vulnerable, especially as these trucks age. The steel box sounds like a good solution. I look forward to seeing it!