FICM repaired, but issue
 

ALrighty, I finally received my repaired FICM unit and worked at putting it in the truck. I ran into an issue. The middle plug that goes into the FICM I believe is missing some kind of clip that makes it "snap" in there. So no matter how hard I pushed, it would not lock in there. I put it in there went ahead and tightened the FICM, and the truck runs great. The plug stayed in pretty good, but I took a small 100 mile journey. During this journey, the plug came out and the truck started running very rough and shaking badly. I stopped at the nearest exit and touched the second plug and the truck went back to running fine. Any fixes? Can I get this plug replaced at the Ford dealer or any other remedies you folks may know of?

Thanks!

Duct tape.

LOL! Thought about that....but can it take the heat?

Nae, it wont. I seen quite a few peeps with the same problem. Some feel that the use of one or a few large zip ties will do the trick. Other than that there is a company out there who sells the replacement plugs, or a new harness from Ford.

I have a zip ties on mine that did the same thing.

Think one from a general home improvement store (i.e. Home Depot, Lowe's, etc) will do the trick? Guess it just has to be large enough.

Ford must have made that bracket a POS, since it seems that many are also having that problem...or perhaps the heat in that area makes them brittle?

Probably heat. You know how plastic is. I have two zip ties (standard stuff from Lowe's) together to make it longer so it will wrap around the FICM. I have 4 ties total making a two-tie (for length) 'strap' on both sides of the connector. My plan is to get the larger industrial strength ones, but these have been fine for the last 6 weeks since I installed them.

I also did the ziptie repair.

The one on the left in the first pic below would slip off so it now has an additional ziptie linking the two to help keep them in place.

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/a...30811_0004.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/a...30811_0002.jpg

They have really cheesy clips on those plugs. One of mine has a broken clip, both the second clip holds it well. I wish they had used the cam-style clip like on the PCM plugs.

I always thought I was the only one that was heavy handed and broke it... I feel so much better now :-X21

If something can be broken, stripped, snapped, pinched or spilt when it shouldn't be ... them I'm your man.

I also seem to have a knack of picking up the wrong part at the store when ever there is a choice of more than one. - Sometimes I just buy 1 of every type because I live so damn far from everywhere :-X03

My MAN! You would not believe how much better I feel after starting this thread, lol...I thought I was the only bonehead that broke one, haha. Didnt help that all the ladies around me kind of scoffed when I told them I was going to replace the FICM myself (in lieu of dealing with the blue headed rapist to the tune of $1300)....now I can come away knowing that this was at least somewhat common, lol

The zip tie gang - we need a logo.

LOL--you're not alone. Add me to the list. I absolutely HATE taking a FICM out and I've done it several times. It never seems to get easier.

Yes, does it really have to be so tight in there? Especially trying to access the bolts in the rear of it...and I have small hands and arms!