03' died while being towed out of mud. Security lock down? ECU? Ignition switch?

03' got stuck in the mud and was being towed by a tractor while spinning the tires. Terrain was off road and bumpy and the impact of the towing line may have activated the security lock down feature. Truck stopped running and was unable to start since.

Tested for spark, compression, fuel, timing seems fine. It won't start on cranking. Changing to new plugs gave a Code "P0355- ignition coil E primary/secondary circuit malfunction".

EFI and C/OPN Relays look fine. Fuel pump relay is not getting a ground thru the ECU. There's either a bad ground in the ECU or the ignition switch is bad or the security lock down is activated.

When turning on the ignition the security light on the left doesn't turn on. Pressing the button does nothing. When cranking, the ignition switch will keep cranking even while turning the key off. So it could be a faulty switch.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone knows where to deactivate the security, where all the grounds on the ECU are and knows where to find a PDF of the service manual wiring diagram please let me know.

 

Do you have a second key you can try? I once had a key die on my 07. Got it towed in and all I had to do was grab the other set of keys and it woulda worked.

 

WELCOME

 

Thanks guys.

The mud was about 6 inches deep, wheels were basically in free spin. But the way it suddenly died combined with the towing line jerking it really make it seem like the security lockdown is to blame.

I tried disconnecting the battery right off the bat. Also heard that using a code reader is supposed to reset the computer but also read elsewhere that the pos and neg cables need to be touched and held together for a few minutes to reset the ECU.

I'm just going to order the wiring diagram booklet off eBay- only 20 bucks and we have another 03' on the side anyway lol.

 

Did you disconnect the battery for 20 minutes? A quick disconnect and then reconnect 45 seconds later doesn't allow for a full and complete discharge of the electrical systems. Which is what we're after with a battery disconnect. Not trying to be trite. But these things are as much elimination as anything else.

And while we're discussing the battery, do you know the age of the battery? And where are you and the truck located?

 

I've never ever heard that before. Did I say "never?" O.K. I did. Wow.

 

After I disconnect the battery and I want to make sure it resets, I go and hit the horn. Trying to completely drain anything left.

 

Great tips guys. I disconnected it for 10 before but will do the full 20 and toot the horn. And even try touching the cables.

It's an old battery but I checked it and it seems to be working good. Truck is located off road in a high moisture environment in Hawaii. Salt air too so it's deadly on anything mechanical

 

Stupid question, but did you put it back in park before trying to start it? I've done that before...

 

Any follow up?

 

LOL!!!

 

Check your grounds man! Sounds like a bad ground under the hood to me .

 

I can't stop laughing at this for some reason!