When I had ScanGauge install the Ford 6.0 PIDs to my gauge, I immediately noticed the FICM main voltage was 20 vdc at start up and took another 20 seconds to reach 48.5 volts.

I sent my FICM in last week to FICMrepair and it arrived today.

The positive battery cable bolt was broke! It had fresh grease from the monkey who installed 2 new Interstate Megatron batteries a few months before I bought the van.

Rather than install a rebuilt FICM and toast it again, I dropped the 2 frame rail batteries on my E350 van. This was easier than I thought and more effort than I wanted to do on a Saturday afternoon.

If anyone needs help, please ask. It should take less than 15 minutes per battery. I read the manual for 30 minutes, called a friend who has done this and removed them. The boxes use key holes for easy removal. I rested them on some bricks and a 2x6 board.



I am hoping that the batteries and installation is under warranty. I texted previous owner and will leave at that.

Tomorrow I bring the batteries to AutoZone for load testing. Next week I pull the alternator to have it tested.

 

Yes it can. The deepest battery draw down is during engine start, so with a broken terminal you are only getting the current from one battery as the source. That's way too small of a supply so the voltage drop will be severe.

 

Here is the broken cable. I am hopeful that some shop will be able to splice in a new lead terminal.




This is one of the reasons why I don't like taking my vehicle to a repair shop unless I know the mechanic/installer. This happened before I bought the van.

I found Johnson Controls AGM group 65 batteries for $130 delivered from Ebay. Local parts store sells the same battery branded by AC/Delco for $161 with core charge.

 

Good thing is you eliminated another trip to Ed by repairing the problem first. I am convinced, as I have seen on my truck, that too many folks don't know what to look for and in what order. Had the 6.0 "expert" I bought the truck from known that his alternator was on the way out the door, and replaced it at the same time as the FICM, I might have avoided a new power board. Lesson learned!

 

I found this part from QuickConnect. I will grind down/file down the old clamp and attach this for my battery connection.

 

Pep Boys and Auto Zone used to have these. Don't know if they still do.