It's all the P38A's fault!

**p38arover** · 7th July 2015, 10:27 AM

I was reading Unsealed 4x4 TOP 6 ENGINEERING FAILS - Unsealed 4X4
and it's all the fault of the P38A.

What am I talking about? The number of computers now in 4WDs.

WAIT, HOW MANY COMPUTERS?
You remember that old joke about the space-race, when the Americans spent millions of dollars developing a pen their astronauts could use in the vacuum of outer space, while the Russians simply used a pencil? I kind of feel that way about the abundance of computer-controlled electrickery in modern 4X4s.
No, I'm not suggesting we all go back to leaf springs, carbies and manually cranking windows, but when you need eight separate computers to operate the reclining mechanism on the seats I feel like we've crossed the line into technological overkill. It's fast becoming "because we can" instead of "because we should".
Worse still, computers are often mounted in places that are susceptible to damage off-road from dust and water - just look at the cause for most vehicle-on-a-tow-truck stories during big trips. More often than not it's due to a faulty sensor or dust-filled control unit rather than mechanical failure.
Fuel injection, climate control and in-car entertainment are all great things, but the increasing reliance on electronics to be able to do just about anything (including drive) with our vehicles is a real worry.
Personally I blame the P38 Range Rover for starting the madness. Just ask anyone who's owned one - there are more computers in those things than in a stealth bomber, and many modern four-wheel drives are trying their best to emulate it.

**Scouse** · 7th July 2015, 12:02 PM

Obviously written by someone who knows nothing about P38s.

**Mick_Marsh** · 7th July 2015, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse

Obviously written by someone who knows nothing about P38s.

Or someone who knows Marty.

**alien** · 7th July 2015, 01:00 PM

"....and many modern four-wheel drives are trying their best to emulate it. "

Yet again Land Rover lead the way

**finallyrangie** · 7th July 2015, 04:30 PM

Trying to emulate, not succeeding but at least they are trying.

**benji** · 7th July 2015, 05:07 PM

Isn't that article 20 years to late?
The p38 electronics are pretty low tech by today's standards. But yes it may have been the first 4wd with canbus (which has proved very reliable! )

Actually, I blame California and Europian legislation.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

**Chops** · 7th July 2015, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by finallyrangie

Trying to emulate, not succeeding but at least they are trying.

Your right, they are "very trying"

**FANTOM P38** · 7th July 2015, 09:02 PM

Well! how timely

I finally had some time to take a look at my damp BECM on the weekend.
I have another BECM ready to swap it outbwith but am determined to move from under the seat ( Dont know why!!) so first problem is to open driver side passenger door which seems to have been superlocked when Becm drowned

just to make removing driver seat easy but not much there so far

then i mad e a rough count of the wires entering the front side of becm - approx 180 then theres the wires at the side & rear so I guess somewhere around 250-300 all up WHAT THE!! So thats a lot of soldering to make up 300 extension leads - anyone know a speed solderer?
So with the way work has been lately I reckon its gonna take about 12 months to finish this job then if that works theres the computer(s) under the passenger seat to consider. Lifes a bitch - then you buy a P38

**mtb_gary** · 7th July 2015, 10:05 PM

Martin
Did you see the Facebook post where Storey Wilson moved a p38 BECM on a comp vehicle?

**TheTree** · 8th July 2015, 07:48 AM

4WD vehicles do not live in some kind of bubble, this is happening with all vehicles

I also find that complaints like "Emissions Junk" reinforces the stereotype of 4wd owners as environmental vandals.

Steve

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