ECU location..want to avoid water damage.

[Theo85]

Hey guys,

I've read on the forums of guys in their 4th gen fording shallow water/rivers/mud and having electrical issues after due to water on the ecu etc. I can't seem to find a diagram showing the location of the ecu and how to get to it...but I did read that it is located around the bottom of the driver doorsill area??

Should I avoid water at all costs, is there a way to water proof the ecu?

 

[NuclearN8]

Yes, avoid water if possible.
No, they can't be waterproofed.
The locations for all the electronics is in the manuals. The manuals are in the stickies for free.

 

[chmura]

No need to relocate the ECU at all. People that have issues are the ones that got stuck in deep water for hours and flooded their entire interior.

I have crossed many streams and never had an issue.

The key to a deep water crossing is do not go to fast or to slow.

The the big key is do not get stuck. You can cross fairly deep water if you keep up the momentum and do not stop or get stuck. If you get stuck than the fun is basically all over.

Here is me crossing.

 

[robaroni]

On the 4th gen it is on the passenger side behind the glove box.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is a junction connector that the ECM harness routes through about 3" above the floor pan next to the drivers A-pillar. The ECM lives behind the glove box.

 

[CookieRoe]

Not familiar with the ECU, but wouldn't potting it make it waterproof? The ballast (HID) I use, I pot then install them. I haven't had a water related issue in years.

 

[CXS]

I have crossed many streams and never had an issue.

Same here, don't fear the water but do make sure you know how deep it is before crossing. The only ones I'm familiar with that were damaged ended up going deeper than they expected.

The key to a deep water crossing is do not go to fast or to slow.

The right speed is when you create a bow wave where the water is sucked away from the front. If going slow it's just the depth to be concerned with. I've yet to have as much as a drop enter the door seals or anywhere else.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Here is me crossing.

Mojave Road, right? Near the Afton Canyon campground?

I crossed that in my slightly lifted '07, too, although the water wasn't that high.