Disco owners - engine computers don't like water?

The correct thing to do is check the computer for water entry before trying to start, if it has been underwater.
I have personally dried out a couple of these and once dried with a coleman lamp and air bed inflator, they went again no problem.
This applies to all computer equipped 4X4s.
It's operator error that caused the problem, same as trying to start a diesel with a gutful. BANG.
Regards Philip A

Best to read the owners manual and go NO deeper than the reccomended fording depth. It is usually far less than what you would imagine for most late model vehicles

Yes of course it was user error. His wife was reading the manual whilst the car filled with water. There was a bit in there about not going into water deeper than some amount, but not what to do if you did. Not that I would expect that it would.

They had trusted the in-car GPS a little too much, and followed its advice as to where to go. Of course they didn't even stop to check the depth, or consider that the water level may have risen since the ford was last used by vehicles. They just drove in and the car stopped...ooops.

Obviously user error.

But I think it's pretty lame that a box housing some pretty pricey and very critical electronics isn't designed to resist water ingress under about 10 cm of water for 10-15 minutes. A Tupperware container is sealed better than that.

In any case the next time I drag someone out of the water I will know to be more insistent in suggesting they disconnect the batteries asap, and will from now on suggest they open up the computer or get an auto-electrician to do so before reconnecting them.

I used to have a Series 3 and now have an LC105 - neither with engine management - so have had no need to know about these little details for myself.

Must have been more than 1 Disco drowned at Coppins lately as I was in a group that had to retrieve one which did exactly the same thing.
Didn't walk the water, took the wrong line and oh dear, it's stopped!
I think a bit of panic was involved when it tipped drivers side down.
Wouldn't start for about 20 mins. and then had no throttle but would creep back in reverse which allowed him to get into a position for towing to Marble Bar.
From there to the dealer in Karratha who confirmed a dead computer which could have been rescued if anyone had thought of removing it and letting it dry but after a couple of days that wouldn't work.
A Prado went through the same waterhole after a bloke had walked it but he said he knew the hole anyway and was aware of how to approach it.
Never saw any smoking computers so yours must have been a different rescue.
Alan.