Having an issue with a car. Passat B5 W8 engine (ME7.1.1 ecu)

Stock car, stock ECU untouched, never been tuned.
After heavy rain the car popped a few fuses and does not start anymore.
Any attempt to start or even just turn on ignition ends with fans running and no start.

Any connection to the ECU (in car and on bench) over OBD does not work. (ecu not found)
Bootmode however does work, and I can read MPC, flash and E2P

I wonder if the e2p could be corrupted on this ecu or if it is something else, requiring a replacement ECU. If bootmode works, means k-line is at least working, so with the correct files it should at least talk to VCDS on the bench I would assume ?

Anyone has an idea what this could be ? files I pulled attached. The checksum of the flash seems to be ok.