2005 ford Escape 3.0L , Code P0354, Ignition coil not firing, Bad computer driver

in this video I'm sharing with you how to diagnose a bad computer drive for one of the ignition coils,
this vehicle was misfiring constantly, spark plugs and coils were replaced but the vehicle was fixed, I'm glad we were able to figure out the problem!!!! enjoy!

[@SeanStDenis-ob1vh]

Im good mechanically. And had to figure out how to do this all. Took me all day to get to the same conclusion. If i watched this i could have saved hours. But extremely reassuring that i was right! So helpful and clear!!! Thank you!!

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@SeanStDenis-ob1vh My Pleasure! I'm glad to hear that the video was helpful!

[@blueeyes63935]

My 05 escape has the exact same problem... no control on cyl 4... extremely clear directions and step by step instructions...thank you Sir!

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@blueeyes63935 My Pleasure!

[@kingsleykafuieviam6523]

Hey man, you are too good

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@kingsleykafuieviam6523 Thank you!

[@kingsleykafuieviam6523]

Again what type of test lamp are you using for this diagnosis, I want to get some and ship to Ghana

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@kingsleykafuieviam6523 it's a regular incandescent test light!

[@charlesbarkwell7693]

" Bravo Zulu " ( Logic & Diagnosis Well Done ) ! Southern California ( 90802 )

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Charles Barkwell Thank you!!!

[@tfmkhonza5084]

Great video

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

TF Mkhonza thank you

[@dumisanitembanimtisi8411]

I would be happy to have yr email or any other contact details...at times im facing very challenging situation which needs to refer first before attempting

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Dumisani Tembani Mtisi Sure!!! you can email me at [e-mail]

[@dumisanitembanimtisi8411]

Okay thanks

[@charlies6546]

excellent video, very informative and not too confusing, u rock, keep up the excellent work, I think I need to re-build my PCM, dead coil driver in PCM, will send off to SIA electronics in IL

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@charlies6546 Thank you!

[@duanedonaldson2262]

Bro I have complained on other channels about this mistake, you are removing the connector from the PCM or any component, WHY are you piercing a wire when you have the terminal staring you in the face, Piercing is minor damage to the wire and worse if it is not sealed with liquid tape, if you are going to remove a connector, there is ZERO need to pierce wires, PLEASE. Your test light seems like it is a very low amp bulb, for me personally I would not call that a loaded test. You also have a very bad memory (me too) like IVAN on PHAD, make a notebook to help you not forget things PLEASE. You forgot GND PIN #49 and there is a black wire staring you in the face on the bottom of the connector right next to PINS #48 & #47. By piercing you are skipping a possible problem with the connector terminal, maybe the wire and the terminal connection are corroded or loose, the same mistake when you jumped power to the coil from a piercing probe. I like piercing probes when the connector is still connected, NOT when the connector is disconnected and in my hand for inspection and testing procedures. I am ok with pin fitment being ok as you noticed nobody has been in there before & a visual inspection is ok. Is the engine properly marked with 2 4 6 cylinders in the front? While showing the schematic you were talking about testing 4 and 5 cylinders? I will guess that the white chalk marks are wrong, no worries. ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/3-0-v6-ford-firing-order/ Thank you for the diagnosis and keep up the good work Bro.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Duane Donaldson Piercing tops can make things a lot easier to test and I do use liquid tape to seal the holes! Thanks for your input!

[@stanauxier8274]

Reading left to right the back bank coils are 1-2-3 and the front bank coils are 4-5-6... PO354 says coil #4 is not firing (Front Left).

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@stanauxier8274 Check the coil wiring, like I did in the video!

[@alberttucker5972]

My 06 ford f150 code po354 . I have watched at least 10 KZbin channels. Learn more from yours in 30 minutes. Thank you 😊

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Albert Tucker My Pleasure! Thanks

[@klauswillyhalvorsen1081]

i had this exact same problem - same codes as well. i replaced the egnition relay and that was it - costed me 5 bucks

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@klauswillyhalvorsen1081 Your welcome!

[@wsnxumalo6707]

Although we were not shown the instalation of computer box but the job done was good

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@wsnxumalo6707 Thanks!

[@meanodustino9563]

this video SOLVED a very difficult vehicle for me, 96' caravan that was throwing me for a loop of no fuel, no spark, no codes. replaced pump. go the fuel. and the crank/cam sensors. it would run but coil 3/6 no spark tried 3 used coils and every one was 3/6 no spark. so i tried the test light and found voltage drop at the ECM to the coil 3/6 replaced and good to go. however now it cranks long then dies. start again and start immediatly and runs perfect I'm stumped

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@meanodustino9563 what codes do you have in the ECM?

[@meanodustino9563]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair do not have any codes. i am going to program so the vin is correct for the ECM

[@fishonnelson2353]

Perfect FIVE START troubleshooting Sir!

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@fishonnelson2353 Thank you!

[@jacobtravissampson17]

You labeled the cylinders wrong. Fords firing order is different from other manufacturers.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Jacob Travis Sampson I didn't label the coils! that's how I found them!

[@CrackHead-iy5vt]

The same coil on my vehicle got fried when I connected it even without the ecm connected

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@CrackHead-iy5vt you have a shorted control wire ( shorted to ground )

[@kingsleykafuieviam6523]

But my problem is I don't get access to wiring diagrams,

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@kingsleykafuieviam6523 you need to get wiring diagrams to do this!

[@jabsher7151]

This was a great video (other than the fact that you confirmed I need to replace the pcm lol) seriously tho, my experience with automotive electrical is pretty limited but you made it easy to follow and got right to the point. Mine was the #3 not getting control but same concept, you helped me understand how to double check and verify good wiring. Really appreciate it and noticed you reply to comments which is really cool! Great job

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Lugnut Homie hahaha I'm glad the video was helpful... good luck with the replacement of your ECM

[@ricardotrujillo2692]

1000 videos on KZbin and still unclear but this is explained easy and clearly as we needed thanks a lot !

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Ricardo Trujillo My Pleasure!! Thanks

[@mohammadal-gebaly3046]

Greetings to your brother’s family and to your son Ebram , good job , thanks

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Mohammad Al-Gebaly My Pleasure! Thanks!

[@bilalflayeh9053]

Another great video from great technican , this video covers most of circuit integrity testings , Thanks for your efforts .

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

bilal flayeh thank you!!!

[@LiilTyweezy]

do you have to replace ignition couls with new computer

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Ty Weezy No!

[@LiilTyweezy]

So you saying the ignition coil driver built into the ecm only sustains damage to itself?

[@daveboesch2879]

Nice work on this video...I've watched hours if trash and finally you give a great step by step way to really diagnose the problem. Appreciate the video keep up the good work

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@daveboesch2879 Thank you!

[@aaronkendall689]

I have misfired on cylinder 3 with engine light flashing and engine shakes change spark and coil what's could it be and lower compression

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@aaronkendall689 Test your fuel injector!

[@CrackHead-iy5vt]

What if the coil got fried without the ecm disconnected?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@CrackHead-iy5vt you have a shorted control wire ( shorted to ground )

[@CrackHead-iy5vt]

Thank you sir. I've been a mechanic for over 35 years. I'm just recently getting into the wiring aspects of it. Your videos are simple and down to the point. So, the control wire is the red one correct?

[@CrackHead-iy5vt]

@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair sorry I Meant to say what if the coil got fried with the ecm disconnected. I was doing step by step everything in your video and I connected the coil and it got fried. I'll throw you something for your help family

[@CrackHead-iy5vt]

@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair whenever I'm testing the fuses I can here it in the radio

[@jaspar4blues]

This is the exact situation with my Ford Escape 2004, same shaking engine and hollow noise. I took it to my mechanic he redirected me to an electrician (rewire engineer) and the PCM was replaced and the vehicle worked for just two months and still develop the same issue. What could have happened again, could it be the faulty wiring or coil or the PCM he got was bad as well. Your expert input will be highly appreciated All the way from Africa, Nigeria

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Jaye Jaspar since the PCM was replaced and it worked for a little bit before the problem came back, I think you might have an output problem like a defective coil or injector that's taking down one or two drivers in the computer!! I'm glad to know that you're watching from Nigeria!!

[@RAFICKDAMISONMOYO]

I'm gaining hands on experience in our each and every videos. I'm realisable Auto Technician because of You. Thanks

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@user-uj1xg7hb2u My Pleasure!

[@jonr3671]

Dude! Thank you so much for giving me the extra troubleshooting steps I needed for our 2005 Escape!

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Jon R My Pleasure!!

[@weili3138]

Hi thank you so much for your video. what is the name for the computer?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

WEI LI My Pleasure!! I used the Snap-On Zeus scanner in this video!

[@mohammadal-gebaly3046]

Awesome , thanks for your good methodology to discover the fault simply and professionally way , thanks a lot

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Mohammad Al-Gebaly My Pleasure! Thanks!

[@kingsleykafuieviam6523]

I always liked the way you do your diagnosis,and you are very educative.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@kingsleykafuieviam6523 Thank you!

[@lawrenceferguson6064]

❤toyota 0353

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Lawrence Ferguson Thanks

[@Mavrick-5]

This is an amazing video, it really is very clear to understand. Thank you, it will help a lot to fix my 2005 Ford Escape 3.0 V6 which has an occasional cylinder 1 Misfiring which triggered code P0301

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Haroldo Alvarez thank you I'm glad the video is gonna be helpful...

[@ktano007]

I got the same code…

[@patrickoreiro5337]

Good video. Very informative

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Patrick Oreiro Thank you!

[@victordelomas]

Gracias Man. Of all videos that I saw, this one is cool. Pretty good explanation.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

victordelomas thank you!!

[@BladimirBartolini]

Thanks for showing wiring diagram.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Bladimir Bartolini My Pleasure!!

[@LRBennettInc]

There aren't many like you..............TY

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Randy Bennett Thank you!

[@rndmxcessmemories8496]

So when i was checking the grounds like you connected to battery positive my light does light but it doesn't flicker it stays on is that the same thing?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

RndmXcessMemories if your light doesn't flicker you probably have a shorted control wire ( short to ground ) or a shorted driver in the computer!!

[@nicholasrawls4067]

Thank you for being so thorough.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Nicholas Rawls My Pleasure!

[@dumisanitembanimtisi8411]

Awesome,very useful to me as Iam being groomed by yu guys. From a truck driver to an automotive. I love yu guys. Most of my questions are being answered,unfortunately i don't have a scanning tool yet. Im doing manual like following wires and their colours.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Dumisani Tembani Mtisi Thank you!! we love you too, I'm glad to hear that you're joining our industry, I encourage you and you will love it, let me know if I can help you in any way!!! Good Luck!!

[@vivosmart9024]

Hi sir sorry for watching your content after so late and thanks for giving so important information and sorry ones again

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Vivo Smart Thank you!!

[@xr500t]

This was thorough and clear, most of all, Clear! This shows how a lot of people would buy a coil and still have an issue. This was a great way to show how to trace back to the source.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@xr500t thank you... test, don't guess. right!

[@sulemanhabib6349]

Your are too mach in diagnosed, KD, Habib Auto from Ghana accra

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Suleman Habib Thanks my friend!!

[@vhaunwhyte7253]

i had 2 ignition coils melted from same cylinder #6 got po356 fault code from mazda6 i believe i got a bad driver in my pcm going to take my car to a shop later this week asked the mechanic in the shop he say he going to do a compression test on cylinder do a low compression cause burnt coils thought one is a electrical problem and the other a mechanical problem?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Vhaun Whyte that could be true or you might have a control wire that's shorting to gound especially on 2 wire coils...

[@vhaunwhyte7253]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair looks like a might not need a pcm after sum trouble shooting the mechanic at the shop may have found the issue looks like there was a wire that was sliced in the feed that was going into the wire harness that was going into cylinder 6 the one that was melting my coils it end up melting 3 coils he remove that wire guess what after a got another coil from the dealer and put it in the car it drive fine no misfire no melting coil keeping my fingers cross but he believed that wire got grounded and was affecting the circuit basically grounding the coils and causing them to burn up cylinder 6 was the only one that had that pod wire going into it no oh the other coils had it believed it was splice to power another circuit maybe remote starter after market gps that i had removed a few years ago because it was giving me trouble or sum other circuit but long story short drive fine but this is the first day so i will keep my fingers crossed thanks for the reply

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@vhaunwhyte7253 My Pleasure!! I'm glad to hear that your car is fixed!!!

[@seemavinu1318]

good work ..keep it up

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Seema vinu Thank you

[@bungalowboy]

i do not have the tools to do this kind of diagnosis, my coils are sparking when i pull them out when car is running, they are periodic and in rhythm, would it be the pcm then? it first started misfiring on only cylinder 5 then after changing coils it went to 4 and 6, i have a 2001 ford escape and the layout of the cylinders is back side starting from left to right 1, 2 ,3 then front 4, 5, 6, should i attempt camshaft and crankshaft sensor replacement first? and what are your thoughts on this

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

bungalow, a defective cam or crank sensor usually doesn't cause one cylinder to misfire... do you have power and control at the coil of the misfiring cylinder?

[@bungalowboy]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair I do have power to all of them because they are sparking/arcing when i take the coils out a bit, its easy to hear, but the 5th cylinder stopped misfiring and now it is cylinder 4 and 6 that are misfiring, i do not have a multimeter on hand at the moment to check

[@bungalowboy]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair and if it does happen to be the pcm, would I be better off sending it to a pcm repair service like circuitboardmedics or just getting a new one and programming and getting keys.

[@bungalowboy]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair changed cam and crank sensor, car still misfiring, the coils are firing though, I can hear the spark when pulled out, any idea?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@bungalowboy if you have power and control at the coil, you might have a weak coil or an injector problem, I assume your engine is good mechanically!! you can also check compression on the misfiring cylinder

[@deyantodorovski4805]

Bravo Maestro!

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Deyan Todorovski Merci!

[@jaspar4blues]

This is the exact situation and sound my car is making

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Jaye Jaspar Oh Really!! that's cool

[@opd189363]

Can I just replace the computer?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Alvin Torres yes, after doing your checks you can replace the computer and them program it before the engine can start!!

[@cubamarci4320]

You’re savage my brotha 👊🏽👊🏽🔐💯💯

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Cuba Marci Thank you brotha!!!

[@alangaudry724]

Sir , thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. God bless you

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Alan Gaudry you're welcome

[@Usmanthemecano]

Bravo frérot ! J'ai eu un même problème il y a quelques mois de cela. Paraît que c'est assez courant comme problème sur ce type de voiture. On a eu un ecm sur internet avec clefs déjà programmés...plug n play

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Usman The Mechanic ah bon? Merci pour L'info mon frere, c'est sur que je vais prendre un used one au junkyard!!! ah part sa, comment ce passe les choses de ton cote?

[@Usmanthemecano]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair tranquille frère au jour le jour. Mais dis moi où trouves tu tes diagrammes?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@Usmanthemecano je trouve sa sur le software de reparation Mitchell prodemand, c'est sur abonnement monsuel

[@Usmanthemecano]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair ah ok. Ils en veulent presque $200 le mois... Mais bon quand ma chaîne commencera à faire de l'argent je pourrais m'abonner

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@Usmanthemecano oui C un peut chere...

[@chicago1680]

First of all thank you for the video. Second I have that same code and misfire sound on my escae I don't even have to check it so thank you for that. I would like to know where you got that "back probe" from. I have a truck I need to do this to and can't find that tool. I believe you said it "pierces" is that correct? If so are you worried about the wires being pierced or do you wrap them after?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Chicage1 I got the piercing tools from my local Fleet pride store, they pierce the wire but you have to use liquid tape after using them to seal the holes on the wire,

[@chicago1680]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair Ok thank you so much, Also a few more question so I went out and probed the 2 wires and I got the solid led and then got the pulsating led which indicates that circuit is good. I swapped out the coil with a brand new one and I still get that code. Can it be the spark plugs? I bought this 06 F150 that hadn't ran in 5 years and got it started and it still had the old fuel in it so I am getting that out but could a fouled plug cause these too? I will swap coils with one I am not getting codes so I know that my new coils aren't bad. I am getting them on 3 cylinders and the truck runs like crap. 5.4 v8

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@chicago1680 since it's been sitting for a while, I'm sure the gas is no longer good, you should drain the gas tank and replace all the spark plugs, swapping the coil is also a good idea... Good Luck!!!

[@chicago1680]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair Thank you will do

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@chicago1680 you're welcome

[@josemarialopez8538]

What color was the second power wire you check?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Jose Maria Lopez I believe it was white and red tracer!! you can double check in the video!!

[@josemarialopez8538]

Ok thanks for the help, my pcm just went out too, can you recomend where i can have it fixed?

[@josemarialopez8538]

2 drivers got burned, 3 and 4. Thanks again.

[@Daves3DProjects]

Could the coil has shorted out the circuit? Would you also replace the coils too?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

David Dorsett yes a shorted coil could damage a driver inside the computer but that's very rare though!! in this case the problem was a bad computer driver! I didn't replace the coil after replacing the computer, you check the resistance of the coils just to verify... Good Luck!!

[@happywrenching33]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair Isn't it recommended to change all coils and spark plugs after changing the pcm?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@happywrenching33 no not at all. you can check the coils to see if you have a shorted one and if so you have to replace it!!

[@alangaudry724]

I learned alot from you today

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Alan Gaudry I'm glad to hear that!!! Keep watching and I hope you can learn more

[@jamesbenson1237]

Love this video

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

James benson thanks, I'm glad you love the video

[@RickyPisano]

Would the coil still fire without the control wire working?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Ricky Pisano no it wouldn't

[@RickyPisano]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair Thank you kindly. I'm running lean on Bank 1, P0171. Also pulled a P0113, Intake air temp sensor circuit high input. I pulled the coils out one by one and they are definitely firing strong. Haven't checked the plugs yet. I'm thinking maybe a vacuum leak or dirty fuel injector. I cleaned the MAF with CRC and changed the air filter. The car has a 3.0L Duratec DOHC FWD engine and idles perfectly in park but shakes a little in drive at a stop. Exhaust has no smoke. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for taking the time to make these videos.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@RickyPisano what kind of fuel trim numbers are you getting? check fuel delivery on that one specific bank ( injectors? ) plugged exhaust , bad o2 sensor on that bank, etc...

[@RickyPisano]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair The LTFT is high. About 25. It goes down when I increase RPMs to 2500. I'll get you all the exact numbers tomorrow and put them here. That one I remember.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@RickyPisano ok, check fuel delivery or plugged exhaust, a defective MAF Sensor would throw off both banks not just one

[@chestonanderson]

What if I have no control on any coils 🙄

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Chestonanderson if you do not have control on all the coils, check powers and ground at PCM if everything checks out ok, Replace the computer, it's pretty common for these computers to fail...

[@chestonanderson]

@@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair it's a 08 DTS lol but wouldn't a bad ckp cause no control too 🤷

[@chestonanderson]

I got power and signal going to the coils so ig I can rule out a bad pcm or cps & ckp then 🤷

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@chestonanderson you got a good point I assumed the inputs were good, yeah you have to check your cam and crank sensors, do you have injector pulse?

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

@@chestonanderson this is a 2 wire coil, if you have a power feed and control, it should fire! what do you mean when you said I got power and signal going to the coils?

[@alangaudry724]

Question, is it possible to share the power feed from another cylinder from the opposing bank and make this work.

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

yes it is, ignition coils are usually powered by a fuse, so they all share the same power feed, some other designs have separate fuses for each bank, so it depends, but the control wires cannot be shared

[@justusbegley9906]

22waewaa33

[@KITS_Auto_and_Truck_Repair]

Justus Begley what does that mean?