Latest Flash Improves Cold Weather Performance
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
The FICM is programmed to send current to both spool valve coils to use them as heaters to heat the oil inside the injectors before starting to help with stiction. This strategy first came out in 2007 and has been the subject of a lot of controversy as to how hard it is on the FICM's. The latest flash uses a different heating strategy that is supposed to not stress FICM electrical components as much resulting in less failure.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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The FICM is programmed to send current to both spool valve coils to use them as heaters to heat the oil inside the injectors before starting to help with stiction. This strategy first came out in 2007 and has been the subject of a lot of controversy as to how hard it is on the FICM's. The latest flash uses a different heating strategy that is supposed to not stress FICM electrical components as much resulting in less failure.
Thanks! Do you know the code for the 'less stress on the FICM' flash? I think I need to take mine in and have it done. Rep coming your way.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
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What I can tell about the two flash versions is that the newer one (VXCFH9) pulses the spool valve coils at a lower frequency. The older one was quite loud and rather high pitched. The newer one is less raspy/buzzy and quite a bit slower.
-blaine
-blaine
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,392
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From: Green Lane, Pa.
I can tell you I scared the hell out of my neighbor this morning. He was talking to me around 6:00am this morning when it was 8 deg. outside. I started the truck and he back up a few feet waiting for something to fly out. I have the 2007 flash and it runs on about 5 cylinders for a few seconds before smoothing out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 3
Something I've been wondering for a while now:
I know from experience that diesels, as a general rule, HATE cold weather.
Presuming that you have an injector that's experiencing "stiction" and misfiring, is there any damage being done to the injector?
Old school says just let it miss till it evens out as it warms up, but I'm not entirely certain that this holds on a 6.0 (as so many other old school things do not).
-blaine
I know from experience that diesels, as a general rule, HATE cold weather.
Presuming that you have an injector that's experiencing "stiction" and misfiring, is there any damage being done to the injector?
Old school says just let it miss till it evens out as it warms up, but I'm not entirely certain that this holds on a 6.0 (as so many other old school things do not).
-blaine
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 49
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From: Greenville, SC
When I had my truck in recently for head gasket, oil cooler, and EGR cooler replacement I asked the mechanic after the work was done did he need to reflash the computer. He said when he finished the repair and started the truck it ran so good he didn't see a need for a new flash. I asked if it needed it anyhow and he told me no, if it runs as good as mine did not to mess with it.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
If it's for your 04 I'm not sure that the PCM strategy changes. I think it's still going to be a VXBC9N8 (late 04 motor). The FICM flash gets changed though. There are better alternatives to the latest ford flash for the earlier trucks IMHO. PHP would be one that you can do yourself for $125. Less inductive heat strategy, better throttle performance, and better mileage (reportedly).
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