Saltwater = Computer Failure... H E L P !

[RaDiKaLBoArDeR]

Hi,
I have a small problem here and was hoping you guys could give me hints on what to do
A couple months ago I went wakeboarding with my X. I basically used it as a towboat.

Dead Link Removed

I rinsed the whole engine with fresh water afterwards but I guess too much saltwater got inside the engine and something broke.

About a week later, I started noticing a squeaking sound from the alternator area which eventually became louder and louder. Water had entered through the ventilation and it somehow got inside the alternator. The bearings inside the alternator rusted.
The local Ford dealer tried to replace the bearings but after taking a look at it he decided to replace the whole alternator.

A warning light (see picture) appeared as well indicating a failure. The dealer said this was because the contacts on the computer had gotten rusty from the saltwater !?!?!

Bad thing is that the Explorer is an import car here in Europe and the alternator had to be shipped from the USA. The whole repair was around 1000 € which is like 1000 US$. !!!
The dealer installed a new alternator and reseted the computer so the warning light went off. About 20 km. later, the warning light went back on and has been on ever since (3 months). Everything works perfectly so I didn’t think that it was necessary bringing it back to the dealer because I know he will want to throw in a whole new computer or something expensive like that.

Well anyway my question is: is it dangerous to drive with the warning light on ? what will happen if I just ignore it and drive on ? should I reset the computer myself ?

I really need some advice on this one….
Thank you in advance !

 

[MyExpWork]

Its not neccissarly dangerous, but if the light is on that means that the computer is detecting something is wrong. It may not hurt it now but in the future it may cause some more serious damage. It could be running rich, lean, etc. depending on what is exactly wrong. But, I think if the computer went bad it might not run at all because the computer controls everything.

Next time don't use your explorer to go wake boarding, its a really cool picture but that salt water is harsh on stuff.

Brian

 

[addkev]

You know when I read your posts back when you wrote about going wakeboarding, I really thought, well that's pretty crazy. I hate to say it, but 'If you're gonna play, you're gonna pay. I would replace the computer, more than likely you are probably going to have to do it eventually.

 

[93exploder]

Get a boat or a jet ski.

 

[RaDiKaLBoArDeR]

Thank you for the replies !

Originally posted by MyExpWork
But, I think if the computer went bad it might not run at all because the computer controls everything.

Yeah that is what I thought as well. So what do you think? Should a new computer fix the problem ? Does anybody know how much a computer cost ?

93exploder Get a boat or a jet ski.

I already have a boat but thanks for the advice

 

[Savage Wolf]

might be a idea if you know how to do minor work on cars to go under the truck and check the o2 sensors and the connectors for them to make sure they are ok, open up and check the mass air sensor make sure that is ok and maybe clean it while you have it open, also check the connector on that as well...
The mass air info is on this board, the o2 sensor is under the truck on the exaust pipe not too sure of the location of it on the newer trucks,
I would also go under the hood and check/clean all the plugs you can get to

 

[Adam Berger]

I've got a suggestion for you. If you still want to continue driving in the salt water, then invest in an electronic rust preventer. They use them here in Australia to prevent rust when driving on the beaches.

 

[MyExpWork]

I am sure its different on a Ford, but since you are in Spain it is still considered an import.

On my Toyota the computer and MAF blew. New the computer was $1200 and the MAF was 800. (Dearler only itmes of course) Luckily I found one at a wrecking yard for 300 and 200. So you could be looking at about the same. When the computer went out it did not even start.

But, go on this site and on the internet, there are some explorers that are wrecked and people are just parting them out.

Its true the connections could be rusted, but the cpu may still be good. I would do what Savage Wolf suggested and check all the other electronic sensors first. The cpu gets readings from all those-if one of those is bad you will get a check engine light. Also see if you can pull the code that the cpu is giving. This will give you the error and tell you where to begin looking.

Brian

 

[RaDiKaLBoArDeR]

Thanks to everybody for the replies!
I will try what Savage Wolf suggested this weekend; I really hope that it will solve my problem.

Again thanks for your help... I really love this forum

 

[VBVA]

On my Toyota the computer and MAF blew.

I blew up my old Toyota too. Did it doing guess what..driving through salt water. Believe me, water ain't good for an engine. I had to get a total tune up ($200.00+) and some of the engine gunk out stuff, basically alcohol, to dry up the gas and oil lines. A few bottles of that stuff over the next few hundred miles and she was back to normal. Words on life, "If you drive through water, drive SLOW!" LOL, good times.