I have an 04 that I am having issues with cold starting. It began this fall as the temps started to drop. If I dont plug it in overnight and the temps are 20 or below it won't start without a lot of cranking. If it is 0 out it won't start at all. If I plug it in it starts all right. It runs fine with no issues once it warms up no matter what the temp. I am running 10-30 rotella in it. I also just changed the fuel filters with no improvement. I also noticed this summer that the turbo fluctuates at steady throttle at any speed. If I am going 60 with the cruise on it will jump from 4 to 8-9 psi with no change in rpms or speed. At first I thought it was the gauge but I can actually hear the turbo whine get louder when it happens. It seems to have gone away with the cold though.

 

does it blow smoke when you try to start it cold?.sounds like your turbo could use a good cleaning also.

 

It will blow some black smoke when it tries to fire. It will hit a few times and blow some smoke then keep turning over and hit a few more times and if it does finally start it runs really rough like it is missing for a couple of minutes.

 

Take the time to check the volts on the FICM. You should be at 48V.

 

Does your truck sound like this? Notice the black smoke coming from the exhaust. If it sounds like this I would be out checking my FICM volts asap.

YouTube - Bad Ford 6.0L FICM

 

Thanks for the video gmhorse.

 

That could be my truck it sounds so familiar. I guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow. Does the truck have to be cold because I forgot to mention that the truck seems fine if I start it every few hours. This morning it wasnt too cold here maybe about 10 and it started right up and ran fine with no missing. I did have it plugged in from 3:30 to about 7:00 and started it at around 9:30.
Thanks for the help

 

I just posted on the "no start" checkcklist thread, so it is only a few threads down from this one (it is also in the Tech Folder). Look it over - it has lots of advice on trying to track down a "no start" condition on your own. Specifically look over the links on checking FICM voltage as already mentioned.

 

I have been looking at all this info for the last hour. Guess I should have done a search before I bothered to post my problem.
Again thanks for all the help.

 

No problem posting first. At this time of evening, you will get far more info from that past thread than anyone will provide tonight (most likely).

I don't know how you took my post, but when you said that you guess you should not have "bothered to post your problem" sounds like you are offended by what I said. I think you have already received some good support especially for posting originally at 10 PM. No one here feels that posting problems is a "bother". As was said before, the next thing to do is probably check your FICM voltage.

 

So just to be sure I should not have had my truck plugged in before I test the FICM. Nice to see I am not the only one who doesn't know when to go to bed.

 

Nevermind I think that I know the answer considering that my truck seems to start fine if I plug it in

 

I don't think that it matters having it plugged it when checking the FICM voltage - they are separate systems. You will still see low voltages if the FICM is the problem - even if you have it plugged in.


I am on call and was woken up for a gas line leak - what a PIA.

 

Sorry to hear that. I have had to do the same thing. I guess it is the nature of the HVAC business.

 

Here is my take on it being cold when testing. Someone will correct me if I am wrong. You can test your voltages cold or hot. Depending on what version flash you have, the computer will apply extra amps to the ficm when the engine is below certain temps. If you left your truck plugged in, it would be warmer and the extra amp were not applied to the FICM, therefore you would not get the rough running. The low voltage problem is still there though, and is likely causing you a few other issues. Loss of a mile or two per gallon, loss of a little power or zippiness. When you get this replaced I think you will notice the truck has a little more power from red light to red light. Maybe have to use a little less pedal to accelerate the same. I think alot of people have had this problem for many months, but do not realize it when living in warmer areas.