Moving your ECU

[Johnperrion]

Our Brother in Bronco Big Brody had his baby goat die is less that 20 inches of water due to terrible ECU placement
See thread ---->
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/bronco-sport-badlands-dies-crossing-20-of-water.2527/#post-42976

Buck's bumper was already pulled so I went out there to take some measurements and went ahead and moved the unit to a higher position.



Hope this is helpful!!

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[omahafordowner]

So, what height off the ground was it, and how how high can you move it?

 

[Johnperrion]

So, what height off the ground was it, and how how high can you move it?

Did you not look at the album? There are pictures with measurements

 

[Bronco7221]

Thanks for this information. From what you could tell when you removed the bumper to expose the ECU did it look fairly sealed? Is there a cover or anything around the ECU sealing it off from water or moisture?

Thanks!

 

[Molson]

Which tires/wheels do you have since that would effect the height to the ECU?

 

[Johnperrion]

Thanks for this information. From what you could tell when you removed the bumper to expose the ECU did it look fairly sealed? Is there a cover or anything around the ECU sealing it off from water or moisture?

Thanks!

No there was no sort of cover or anything. I am considering purchasing something to seal it in... maybe a waterproof camping bag or a modified Pelican waterproof box to put it in?
What do y'all think would work?

 

[Johnperrion]

Which tires/wheels do you have since that would effect the height to the ECU?

I am running a 235/65 R17 A/T Off-Road Tire
They are the Wildpeak A/T's that you can upgrade to for $495 when you build your sport.

 

[69cuda340s]

So at 23 inches of water with ECU in stock location the ECU and both its wire harness connections would be completely under water? Maybe Ford should say limit is 12 inches of water for Badlands?

 

[Johnperrion]

So at 23 inches of water with ECU in stock location the ECU and both its wire harness connections would be completely under water? Maybe Ford should say limit is 12 inches of water for Badlands?

Riiigghhtt??? It makes no sense for them to say 23 inches of water, when in its stock position the wiring harness is exposed as far down as 15 inches!? Someone is up in the night. I am considering purchasing a waterproof box, and then modifying it to place the ECU in.

 

[Sparky]

in BS literature Ford says they moved all electrical up on the Badlands to get the 24" clearance. Evidently they did not accomplish this should be a repair done by Ford for all of these.

 

[Johnperrion]

***EDIT***
Thank you to several members who have pointed out that was NOT the ECU, it is mearly a junction box. So I haven't moved the ECU at all.
The actual ECU is behind that metal plate and IS protected by a combination of a plastic compartment and then the wheel well liner.

Thank you to the people who were kind enough to reach out and correct me without being a dick about it. I am not an expert by any means and am only trying to provide information to be helpful. It is very possible that things I say/do will be incorrect or inaccurate, but not purposefully.
I'm just a human and I'm learning.

 

[Sparky]

the Badlands model can manage 23.6 inches of water fording, besting the Renegade's 19.0 inches. This is accomplished by ensuring robust door sealing and by locating all electronic control units well above this height or completely sealing them. Of course, if water gets into the cabin, there are six hidden drains beneath the rubber floor covering to help drain it. (Note that 1.5-liter Bronco Sports are only rated for 17.7 inches of fording depth.) From Motor Trend article 12-7-2020

 

[69cuda340s]

locating all electronic control units well above this height or completely sealing them.

So no worries about ECU mounted down low getting dunked in water cause it is supposed to be sealed on Badlands. Got it.....

 

[Big Brody]

I think moving / checking seals is a good idea for all of that. The connectors for the ecu should be on bottom. Good for drips, bad if it isnt sealed.

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