P38 diesel has poltergeists?

I think I have an electronically injured P38.

It's probably been jump-started with reversed terminals or on 24 volts.

Currently the central locking doesn't work (other than initially locking the car when I connect the battery).

Hence I doubt I can enter the key code. I certainly haven't had any luck getting it to accept a code so far; and trying doesn't result in the normal lights flashing etc.

I've had smoke from the fuse box battery area.

I use the car in VERY remote locations and really need to bypass the security.

I'm currently wondering whether the manual diesel pump 324td or 524td engine might not be a better bet.

It's a manual, left hand drive 2.5dse.

Not a hope in hell re. the other pumps. Can you not unlock the car with the key once the battery is connected? If it has been jump started with reverse polarity or 24 v its probably fecked the electrics. If you use the car in remote locations leave it there, or are you trying to nick it?

I'm beginning to wish someone would nick it... my main concern is it stranding me in an empty bit of Africa.

I can indeed unlock the door. And I get dash lights. But I can't get it to accept the code. And I have to pull the relay to get the wipers off.

It's a shame as the thing ran like a dream before the garage did something very weird to it, though ironically it would start until it was left without a battery for a few days.

Try a pm to rick the pick, sounds like the becm has a major problem

dosent the smoke from the battery and fuse box area give you a clue?

It does.

But; do I risk putting a new fuse box on from my spares car?

Or will it cook the spare too?

Still dreaming of a p38 with the 2.4 bmw diesel, which needs no ecu... Amazed no-one has tried it.

Uncle Fes said:

Still dreaming of a p38 with the 2.4 bmw diesel, which needs no ecu... Amazed no-one has tried it.

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Well it would be great although you would have no lights, or windows/sunroof/seat adjustment/EAS etc. The Becm controls the entire car not just the engine. The whole car is integrated into the becm along with the engine ecu etc. Getting an engine to run in a p38 shell would probably not be to difficult but youd need to get the rest of it working as well otherwise you'd have an engine under a bonnet and not much else!

Well, my limited understanding is that there's an engine ecu and the becm which does all the other electrical services.

At present the windows, fans and lights all work.

But the immobiliser intervenes and won't let the engine start.

I can get it to turn over my shorting the starter, but Motronic doesn't get a signal to fire the injectors.

My probably faulty logic is that IF I had the non ecu version of this engine, in the event of a failure two days walk from civilisation, I could at least start the engine.

If the electrical accessories don't work it wouldn't be fatal. But being stuck in the Sahara counting turns of the key in the lock just might be...

I see what you are saying but I suspect it would be a major job to get it all to work properly.

I would be finding something other than a P38 to take into the sahara... They are bad enough in a suburb of a small english city!

Uncle Fes said:

It does.

But; do I risk putting a new fuse box on from my spares car?

Or will it cook the spare too?

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If you have a spare one put it in and see what happens these cars are renowned for cooking the fuse box and throwing up all sort of electrical gremlins.

Tried Defender; too uncomfortable and the ac is rubbish. Discovery is too cramped in the back. Same for Range Rover classic. Sick of massive parts prices on Japanese stuff. P38 is the last beam axle, manual Range Rover, hence my interest in them. All it needs is a lobotomy!

Oval, I'm just a bit worried I'm missing something obvious that might burn my spare fuse box...

ovalandrover said:

dosent the smoke from the battery and fuse box area give you a clue?

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:hysterically_laughi:hysterically_laughi:hysterically_laughi


You can put a new engine management chip in with no security code. Of course, it'd need programming. Even then I'm not sure what else the BECM controls that might prevent it from starting. Presumably the fuel shut off valve?

Mozz might be able to help diagnose if the alarm system is stopping you somewhere or if Rick-The-Pick will be required. Have you got any sort of diagnostics available? I don't travel further than 30 miles without my Nanocom, just in case!

I don't have a diagnostics kit but I'd very much like one. Any advice on the pros and cons?

If there are reprogrammed chips out there where can I get one?

I've read that changing the region settings on the becm can curb some of its more outrageous behaviour, but not everyone seems to agree.

Take the fuse box out and look see where its burnt it might just be dry solder that got hot or water got on the board or the circuit board is cracked or that a battery had low voltageand found a weak spot on the boards.

when you replace the fuse box leave all the fuses out and replace them 1 x 1 and if the board starts smoking you know something else is wrong do the same with the relays.

Thanks Oval! Another fun filled day...

BTW, 2,4td injection pump can be fitted to M51, but it needs a ring to center it, as it has smaller diameter sealing flange.

Uncle Fes said:

Well, my limited understanding is that there's an engine ecu and the becm which does all the other electrical services.

At present the windows, fans and lights all work.

But the immobiliser intervenes and won't let the engine start.

I can get it to turn over my shorting the starter, but Motronic doesn't get a signal to fire the injectors.

My probably faulty logic is that IF I had the non ecu version of this engine, in the event of a failure two days walk from civilisation, I could at least start the engine.

If the electrical accessories don't work it wouldn't be fatal. But being stuck in the Sahara counting turns of the key in the lock just might be...

Click to expand...

You can replace the engine ECU with a new one that has not been set to "Secure Mode" then it will start regardless of the state of the BECM link.

N2O said:

BTW, 2,4td injection pump can be fitted to M51, but it needs a ring to center it, as it has smaller diameter sealing flange.

Click to expand...

That's interesting. The feedback from the BMW forums - mainly happily mad drifters and bio diesel burners - is that the pump is a straight swop. But these guys seem to have amazing technical skills.

I badly need the earlier mechanical pump and ANY advice about fitting it.