hi norb
just to update for completeness - yupp it was the engine ECU
independent guy came out, unplugged the ECU and reconnected the battery…fuse didn’t blow, so he supplied a used/recon? ECU and paired/coded? it to the truck
he did ask if he could take the old ecu…had no use for it and no intentions of trying to sell on ebay etc but I’m guessing he would try and repair it?
his total price wasn’t much more than the prices I can see advertised for repairing an ECU (might have went with that option after watching him taking it out etc) so was an unnecessary expense but could have been worse I suppose!