Eco Boost turbos cycling on and off during acceleration
 

I have a 2011 SCREW (build date late April) where the turbos started cycling on and off during acceleration or under load when pulling a trailer or going into a strong head wind. It started at about 18,000 miles and I brought it in to the dealer. They road tested it and could not duplicate. It continued doing it and I had a dealer tech ride with me at the next oil change. He confirmed the problem...this was around 22,000 miles. Dealership contacted Ford and although they were aware of it (something to do with opening and closing of waste gates if that makes sense) they did not have a fix. They said to check back after the holidays. Since then it has gotten worse cycling on and off under a lesser load. The dealership checked again two days ago with Ford and still no solution but they thought the eventual fix would be to re-flash the computer. Anyone else having this problem? If so any fix your are aware of? Thanks in advance for any help.

Nope but I am only at 7000 miles.

I've got 12k kms on my EBoost, about 7k miles also. I've noticed that under light acceleration both empty and loaded that the turbos will sound like they're building up slight boost then blow off on the waste gate. I think its a normal procedure as the throttle pressure isn't requiring full spooling of the turbos to create full power, but only a little at a time to sustain the current speed. Not sure if we're experiencing the same sound/condition... Under hard acceleration does it act normal?

Your description is kind of how it started when I first brought it to the attention of my dealer. More recently it does it under both hard acceleration and light acceleration. Going up a long hill where it needs the turbos to maintain speed is where I both hear it and feel it as the turbos cycle. Tech describes it as "FOUND THE PCM WILL CYCLE THE VALVES AND WASTEGATE RAPIDLY CAUSING SURGE AND TURBO FLUCTUALTION SOUND. TECH HOTLINE IS AWARE OF THE CONCERN AND IS LOOKING IN IT" on the invoice. I really like my truck and hope they can fix it back to how it ran before it started doing this.

Hey, I have a boost gauge on my Eco, and you can see it quite clearly. Especially under light throttle. It's like it builds boost too quickly, and the computer decides it's making too much power for the throttle position, so it opens the wastegate...then it needs more boost...etc.

You can hear it for sure, but you can see it clearly on the gauge.

Under moderate to hard acceleration, it doesn't do it. At least mine doesn't.

I assumed it was "normal"...or maybe a future flash would smooth it out.

This is a known problem that a lot of people are having. They are trying to come out with a new flash for the computer to solve. One person said he got a call and they are going to reprogram his on the 14th. I have a case in with Customer Service. They still have no release date. His 14th may be a trial.

I also cannot find anyone with a 2012 that has this problem. Seems to be only 2011.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll contact my dealer to see what is going on.

Thanks also. I will contact my dealer too.

Sounds like a simple reflash of the PCM stradegy should fix this. They're probably trying to figure out a stradegy how to keep the turbos calm without losing any performance or MPG's. The good news is it's not a parts failure problem, just the PCM not playing well with the turbos...lol Hope everything works out for you.

I have this issue too...I searched the threads but couldn't find anything (til now) so I posted a new topic. My turbos dod the rapid cycling as you mentioned only in certain circumstances. Going up long hill or just cruising and give it just a little more gas. Otherwise it seems fine with plenty of power. ANy updates from anyone on the fix??

My dealer called and said Ford just released a re-flash for this problem on the Eco-Boost. Mine will go in on Monday.

Got mine re-flashed today at 0900 central.
When leaving I could not make it cycle and I know how to create the problem. Also my gas mileage seemed to be better for the 8 mile trip to work.

I am doing a 300 mile trip this weekend. Will see if it is really fixed then.

Any chance you have a TSB number or anything for this? Might help convince the dealer to do the flash...

TSB
12-2-10 3.5L GTDI CALIBRATION UPDATE - VARIOUS ISSUES - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 2/7/2012

Publication Date: February 15, 2012

FORD: 2011-2012 F-150


ISSUE:
Some 2011-2012 F150 vehicles built on or before 2/7/2012 and equipped with a 3.5L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with various diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and driveability concerns.

ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

The calibration update contains improvement actions and enhancements to address the following conditions:

Intermittent engine surge during moderate to light loads at cruise.
Enhancements to misfire monitor detection.
Powertrain control module (PCM) DTC P0430 and/or P0096.
NOTE: INSURE ALL HARD FAULT POWERTRAIN DTCS ARE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE CALIBRATION UPDATE.



If the vehicle exhibits DTC P0430 replace the left bank catalytic converter. Refer to WSM section 309-00. Proceed to Step 2.
Reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration using IDS release 77A.03A or higher. This new calibration is not included in the 2012.1A DVD. Calibration files may also be obtained at Buy Motorcraft Parts Online | Official Motorcraft Auto Parts Site | FordParts.com.
NOTE: PLEASE ADVISE THE CUSTOMER THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFT STRATEGY WHICH ALLOWS THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER TO LEARN THE TRANSMISSION'S UNIQUE PARAMETERS AND IMPROVE SHIFT QUALITY. WHEN THE ADAPTIVE STRATEGY IS RESET, THE COMPUTER WILL BEGIN A RE-LEARNING PROCESS. THIS RE-LEARNING PROCESS MAY RESULT IN FIRMER THAN NORMAL UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS FOR SEVERAL DAYS.




PART NUMBER PART NAME
BL3Z-5E212-E Converter Assy
W520514-S440 Nuts


WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

Excellent...thanks for the post about the TSB! This may be a dumb question but just want to make sure I'm referencing the right number, is the TSB number the 12-2-10?