FICM Fun

[daveb]

Happen to have the part # so I don't end up with the wrong one.

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Zeta

That's what it is: http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/c-21 ... tools.aspx

Z


http://www.tomsinclair.net

Pretty neat tool. The fact that with a second application I could use it on both my 7.3L Excursion and my Passat TDI is pretty cool. Service and repairs on a VW make service on a Ford seem easy and a bargain.

Let me know how you like it.


Herb

[JoeH]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Pretty neat tool. The fact that with a second application I could use it on both my 7.3L Excursion and my Passat TDI is pretty cool. Service and repairs on a VW make service on a Ford seem easy and a bargain.

Let me know how you like it.


Herb

Interesting. So on the Passat it uses what VW calls VAGCOM? If so, do you know if you can change things on the VW that I absolutely detest like automatically locking doors?

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by JoeH

Interesting. So on the Passat it uses what VW calls VAGCOM? If so, do you know if you can change things on the VW that I absolutely detest like automatically locking doors?

At this point, beats me. All I know is what I read in the link provided by Zeta.


Herb

[Zeta]

Originally Posted by daveb

Happen to have the part # so I don't end up with the wrong one.

I bought both items shown on the link. The $225 thing is the basic interface that will read and clear codes on all your OBDII vehicles, and the $180 item is the Ford enhancement to monitor all 494 sensors, change stuff and run tests.

I'm just getting started with mine, but it seems cool so far. Only problem is I have to use a PC laptop. For a Mac guy that's the hardest part.

Z


http://www.tomsinclair.net

[Fulthrotl]

Originally Posted by Zeta

I bought both items shown on the link. The $225 thing is the basic interface that will read and clear codes on all your OBDII vehicles, and the $180 item is the Ford enhancement to monitor all 494 sensors, change stuff and run tests.

I'm just getting started with mine, but it seems cool so far. Only problem is I have to use a PC laptop. For a Mac guy that's the hardest part.

Z

AE seems to be the best deal available for diagnosing and troubleshooting.

as i spit out the evil bill gates koolaid for apple juice six months ago, i went
and bought a $200 netbook at best buy for a dedicated unit... it stays charged
up, and in the van with the dongle, etc. it'll run 6 hours on a charge.

a note: use it on it's own batteries, not with a cheapo power cord to the vehicles
12V. you can easily get a ground loop, and smoke both the AE dongle and the laptop.

the best guy i've found for ficm repairs is ed@ficmrepair.com

my strategy is to have him build me one of his ficm's, with a +40 hp tune on it,
and keep my original ficm as a spare next to the AE in the van.

ed's ficm code will also help to keep the injectors alive. the ford code, of which
there are 6 variations, can be quite damaging to the ficm, burning it out, and
damaging the injectors as well.

injectors installed, are $4k or thereabouts. something to consider.

[Zeta]

Sooooo..I was supposed to leave Monday for three weeks on the road: Canyonlands, Yosemite and Big Sur. As is my SOP, I drive the van a couple days before leaving to, you know, make sure. Started it Saturday morning--ran like sh*t. No check engine light, so I figured it had to be because of work I did earlier in the week. Can installing an awning to that? Maybe on a 6.0 but unlikely. How about the $250 Amsoil oil change I did on Tues? Ah, must have air bubbles in the HPOP system--a little knowledge is a dangerous thing--so I drove it a bit. Ran worse, no smoke, no light. Got out my trusty PC based scan tool, tried to remember how to use it, and pulled up an entire screen of fault codes mostly relating to cylinder performance and FICM performance. There we go. Went to the "Live Meter" page on the scan-tool to check FICM voltage at idle--it was off the lower end of the scale, but would surge back to 48+ volts now and then. After some idling the check engine light came on indicating I had a problem.

Some research in my Ford manuals and on the ever-valuable internet confirmed what I already knew--bad FICM. So after jumping around a bit I over-nighted one of these:http://www.bulletproofdiesel.com/Bul...icmupgrade.htm (mine had 4 pins and I got the 6 phase which is supposed to have redundancy built in for reliability or whatever--it cost more so it's gooder.)

It turned out to be very easy to install, and fixed everything. The new FICM internals are quite different than the stock unit, so maybe it is better--we'll see. Also, they only send you the power board for the FICM--you reuse the logic board so no reprogramming is necessary.



Last April, I checked FICM voltage--see above--and it was very fine. There really wasn't any warning this time, but I've decided that the injectors buzz more vigorously now when the key is turned on than they did a few days ago. This might be a tell-tale sign your FICM is FICKED.

I can't exaggerate what a disaster this would have been in the Maze. I'm gonna buy another FICM to have as a spare as it can be replaced in 15 minutes with hand tools. My 6.0anoia is high, so I also ordered an ICP switch, IPR valve, crank and cam sensors and a can of MAF cleaner. Plus I have my scan-tool, all factory manuals including engine diagnostic/performance and wiring diagrams. I'm ready...

Feels good to be able to diagnose and repair my own 6.0 issues even though it was a simple/common one.

Yikes
Z

[JoeH]

I'm glad the FICM crapped before your trip. FICM voltage is one of 4 things I'm always watching on the Scangauge, mainly Key on/key off. I watch the voltage as the engine cranks and/or at idle. So far so good, but no doubt the extra heat in the vans no doubt contributes to an early demise.

If you went with the 6-phase BPD FICM are you going to run it at 48, 53, or 58V? I've read mixed reviews on whether or not 58V is a good thing.

I like the redundant circuits of the BPD version. I would send your bad FICM to Ed and have it repaired and use that as your spare rather than buying another new one.

[Zeta]

This is all about reliability, so I'm using the 48v setting. Who's Ed?

Z

[daveb]

Super info. Pschitt will be looking closely at this thread. Tom, I'd feel a bit more comfortable traveling with you on a technical trail these days. "I could'a had a FICM"