Out riding this weekend and ventured into a hole that was much deeper than expected. In the process of trying to lock the diff and it died. Water was slowing coming into the passenger floorboard.



After about 40 minutes I was pulled out. By this point there was a nice pool of water in the passenger floorboard.





After we got it pulled out, it did start once, maybe twice. I had to keep my foot on the petal and maintain 2 - 3k rpms. After about 20 seconds it died, and wouldn't restart.

Quick Facts:

-2004 LR Disco II
-4.6 V8 with Secondary Air Intake
-Closest LR Dealership is 110 miles away

-It cranks, but will not start. No fire to the plugs.



Still won't start - here's are the things we've checked/tried:

-Oil - no evidence of any water in the oil. Due to the angel it was in the water, not much of the actual engine was in the water.

-Fuses - checked all fuses, inside and under hood. The main fuse box (under the hood) doesn't look like water got into it.

-ECU - removed, cleaned, and dried it. It was wet - with some sediment on it.

-Crankcase Position Sensor - After reading several other threads - decided to check it - pulled off the protective cover, no evidence that it was even in the water.

-Alarm - tried arming, disarming several times - seems to be functioning correctly.

-BCU? - there are two other panels under the glove box (next to the blower) neither of these appear to have gotten wet.

-Inertia switch - tried resetting this - not sure if we did. This may have been underwater - but don't think it was.

Fire - we pulled a spark plug held it against the block and trying starting - no spark.

Error Codes:

-M & S flashing - but, I installed a winch about a week ago - and the M & S started flashing just after the install. The battery is 4+ years old - so was going to get it replaced - per recommendations on other threads.

-We hooked it up to a diagnostic computer and returned: P0705, P1884, and P1843. I believe the P0705 is the result of changing from dif-lock back to high-regular - and haven't been able to start vehicle.

-We reset all codes. And haven't been able to generate any new.

Questions:

-What's the next step?

-Replace the ECU?

-Is it possible to replace the ECU without having it reprogrammed at a dealership? If so, how?

-Is it true that you can put in another ECU and it will start and run (assuming the ECU is the only problem), but that you can't reset once you shut it off?

-Replace the Inertia Switch?

-Is there a way to check to see if the vehicle is in immobilized mode?

-Any hidden fuses that we may have overlooked?

Thanks so much for any suggestions or ideas.

In case you're wondering, the hole got was even deep just in front of where I got stuck.

Here's what it looked like from the other side:

 

look at f15 fuse
inertia... it shuts off fuel pump. reset it if you think that's it, but it would probably not have started the first couple times.
Edit:: now that the pics are working. It does look like you have some wet electrics and computers. Ecu is a good start

 

Looks to me like everything electrical got ****ed. Most of the truck's computers are under the glove box.

 

I concur with the previous ECU recommendations. The starting and dying without your foot on the throttle and then not starting back is the same thing that happened to my '01 Mustang GT when its ECU died a few months back. That thing was a bitch to find; only one on the entirety of ebay, Ford dealership couldn't get them, auto parts stores couldn't get them. Good luck, I hope your search is easier.

 

All of your ECU's are just under the glove box.

You can try to remove, open, and clean them, but that looks pretty grim, my friend.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Have pulled and cleaned the ECU. Tried contact cleaner, and rubbing alcohol. But no luck yet.

If the battery is pulling less than 12 volts when off the charger, would that prevent the car from starting? Doesn't make sense that it would, but figured I would ask.

Thanks!

 

Quite possibly. I know when my alternator took a crap thee ECU threw a code and put the truck into limp mode. Jump it and see if she'll kick over.