| Author | Message | ||
     Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) New Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2003 |
I was wondering what others have done to protect the newer discovery ECU from damage. My 99 Disco II looks to have the ECU under the front driver seat. I was thinking of finding a military ammo can, putting the computer inside of it, and mounting the whole thing back under the seat. Has anyone done this before? If so, what size can. Does anyone see anything wrong with this? I figure I can leave the top off the can for normal driving and put it on for water crossings. That should keep the ecu from getting too hot should it not? Any advice would be appreciated. If someone has a great idea for waterproofing the ecu, that does not involve removal of seat and lots of searching for ammo cans, let me know. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 816 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thats the transmission ecu, not the main engine ecu. But its still important. I sealed mine in a plastic rubbermaid conainer about 12 inches long x 7 wide x 2 deep. Where the cable goes in I siliconed it closed. Keep a silica gel pack in there. There's not much room to pull the cable around, so its not toooooo easy, but you'll manage. I can give you a pic if you want one. Dean | ||
| Stuart H (Disco_stu) New Member Username: Disco_stu Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2003 |
can you post it? I would like to see it as well. -Stuart | ||
| Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) New Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 26 Registered: 07-2003 |
Yeah, I would like to see some pics if you have them. I also agree a writeup on that would be great if you have the time. BTW, you have mail. Thanks | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 823 Registered: 02-2002 |
Here's what I can get without taking the seat valence off:   You have to gob in the silicone while its under there, which is why it looks messy even by my standards lol Dean | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 824 Registered: 02-2002 |
I think that would help out if there was a bit of water sloshing around in there, but I'm not sure how it would hold up under a 12" flood. I would recomment a decent 12V bailing pump if you think this is a possibility. Dean | ||
| Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) New Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2003 |
Thanks for the pics. I will have some time over thenksgiving holiday to pop the seat off and do everything right. I am just trying to get some ideas and see what others have done. Eventually I want all the computers sealed and the CD-changer moved into the glove box. Oh well, modify as time, and wife, permits. Thanx again for the pics. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 825 Registered: 02-2002 |
You can mount the CD on the ceiling. Make sure its top up though, it cant be upside down. | ||
| Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) New Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 29 Registered: 07-2003 |
I forgot how picky some changers are. Does anyone know if the factory changer can be mounted vertically or at an angle similar to that found in the glove box? | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 61 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hmm.. so in stock disco ECU is under driver seat? I am sorry to jack that thread, but i got my Disco 94 after long line of owners (or so it looks), and dont know a squat... I got ECU under passenger seat (at least it looks like ECU  ). But driver seat got some odd plug that sits there and connected to nothing, and thats it. Nothing more... Is it one for CD changer then? Or? | ||
| Stuart H (Disco_stu) New Member Username: Disco_stu Post Number: 10 Registered: 06-2003 |
Does anyone think there would be any problems with the ECU overheating in an application like this? I have been giving thought about how to do this, and I was originally trying to do something that I could leave a door (or some type of opening) open so that it could breathe and just close it when needed (well prior to needing it hopefully!) Does anyone see any point in going to that extreme? -Stuart | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 64 Registered: 08-2003 |
Stuart, if you seriously afraid of overheating you can simply stick there couple (or one) low-noise 5V computer fans, IMHO. | ||
| Stuart H (Disco_stu) New Member Username: Disco_stu Post Number: 11 Registered: 06-2003 |
Well, but doing that would again leave an opening for water to rush in, unless you created a breather tube of sorts that ran up the side of the seat or something. And its not that I am dead set on doing that, I was just wondering if anyone who knew more about the subject than me, thought that overheating was a possibility. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 828 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sergie - on D1 the engine ECU is in the engine compartment. There is no ecu under the seat as far as I know. Someone could verify this? Stuart - The ecu is already in a metal box, so I don't think putting it in another box will hurt it. Mine has been ok all through the summer so far with no problems with temp. Dean | ||
| Blue (Blue) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Blue Post Number: 540 Registered: 04-2003 |
you guys just need to move out to the desert | ||
| Bruce Potier (Brucep) Member Username: Brucep Post Number: 52 Registered: 06-2003 |
Maybe the easy answer is learn to drive better, get more traction, reseal the weather stripping, plug the door drain-holes, firewall holes. Now I have gone through all of that and have I ever gotten my ECU wet? NEVER. Particulary becuase my I have nothing under the seat to soak, not to say my Disco has always been dry, ahemmm, for the most part anyway. You know that feeling in your gut, pay attention to it and do what it says and you will be OK, but of course you will be rediculed as well. LOL Bruce | ||
| Donald M (Discodon) New Member Username: Discodon Post Number: 16 Registered: 08-2003 |
long live the Disco1 with nothing under the seat but (wet) carpet..... | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 831 Registered: 02-2002 |
Bruce - Ummm, you did all that sealing? But how does that affect your ecu if its in the engine compartment? Donald - But you do have the engine ecu in the engine compartment. With the D2 its inside, above the kick panel. I know a D1 owner who flooded the ecu and stalled in a very unfortunate location! | ||
| Bruce Potier (Brucep) Member Username: Brucep Post Number: 59 Registered: 06-2003 |
Donald, sorry if my twisted sense of humor evades the questions. All of my sealing is only to keep my cab dry. You are right, the ECU for a 97 is in the engine compartment and the only thing I have done is use dielectric grease, liberal amounts. I have read where others use hairspray, foam, etc, but so far, no issues for me. | ||
| Donald M (Discodon) New Member Username: Discodon Post Number: 22 Registered: 08-2003 |
ahhhhhhh, I see :-) | ||
| Zach Jaggers (Mountenn) Senior Member Username: Mountenn Post Number: 350 Registered: 03-2003 |
ECU for D1 '94 and '95 is under the passenger seat. The plug under the driver's seat is for a CD changer. FWIW | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 69 Registered: 08-2003 |
Zach - THANK YOU..Now i can sleep normally. I thought that previous owner might rip something out.. | ||
| Lee R. Byrd (Mobile) New Member Username: Mobile Post Number: 30 Registered: 07-2003 |
As far as putting something inside a box and worrying about heat that was why I wanted an ammo can. Many, not all, ammo cans are waterproof. Most of the ones that are laying around this house have removable lids. I figured if I put the electronices under the seat inside one, I could leave the lid off until I needed it. If someone were really worried about temperature and air tight sealing there is one solution I have seen. One can tap into one of the air-conditioner's hoses going to the vents, and run this into the electroincs "box." It keeps the box slightly pressurized and cool at the same time. I have not used this on any of my vehicles. No previous off-road vehicle had a/c. I do not intend on doing this to my vehicle as it is a big P.I.T.A. I would just like to say Thanks to everyone for all of your helpful posts. |
