No matter what kind of issues you may be having with your truck, one of the first questions asked when someone is trying to help is "any codes?" or "what's you EBP sensor reading?" It's necessary to have some sort of tester, or a friend who has one in order to post almost any engine related question these days. The ScanGauge has helped many of us to understand how our engine controls work and many slicker monitors are available. There are also smartphone based options, as well as handheld code scanners, and computer based software/cables to check things out. So what if you need a tool but bucks are tight? If you have a laptop computer or a netbook with a USB port I can recommend this: <<<--click here.
It costs $23. If you order a 15ft cable for $3 to go with it shipping is free (orders over $25). Yes, it's generic, but I have one and it works well on any vehicle I've plugged it into, including my 6.0. Software upgrades are available for manufacturer specific testing but I haven't upgraded so I don't know how well they work. There are likely other similar devices available if you shop around a bit. I'm not trying to promote this company, just sayin this one works. For example, when you boot it up and connect to the truck it shows three modules, each module's name (in hex), and how many PID's are available on each one. It has a dashboard view you can monitor on test drives (or replay your test drive later) or toss it in the seat and ignore it and check the graph later. I think trouble code count is a generic OBDII parameter and I've never seen it display a count and not read the code (I know my SGII has done this) so it does a good job of pulling DTC's also.
On my local Craigslist there is a running ad for working laptop computers for $99. I realize this blows my point about price, but you are still talking $130 for a configurable code reader that displays real time data as a gauge, digital read out, or graph in a Microsoft Windows environment. If you already have a laptop you're in for $26.
Being computer based, it's a little "geeky" so it may not be for everybody. I just wanted to point out a good, inexpensive option that may work well for some folks.

 

The Amazon link doesn't work

Josh

 

The only thing I'm trying to figure out is what things you guys are monitoring. I'm using the Torque app on my Android phone. I've got ECT, trans temp, and boost at the moment. I'm trying to figure out how to get EOT. That leaves me two spaces on the screen yet for gauges. What else should I be monitoring?

 

Think I fixed it. Didn't realize the link included my sign in! Kinda glad it didn't work

 

ICP Desired
ICP Actual
ICPv
IPR%
Trans Temp
MAP
BARO
EBP
EBPv
IPW
FICM main
FICM Logic
FICM Vehicle
FICM Sync
FAN
VGT%
Battery Volts

Josh

 

Sound like you're on the right track. Maybe if you tow, you would want to monitor fan operation. But if you start running crappy when cold you can check the FICM output. Long cranks on a hot start? - ICP and IPR values are important.
Maybe it's turning over slowly?- check battery voltage. If you know about what your battery voltage normally runs, you might catch a failing battery early, before the FICM or alternator is damaged. And keeping an eye on things for a while after repairs is re-assuring also. Maybe you had to change out you ICP sensor, you can keep an eye on the new one for awhile. It can save much money to know what's going on under your hood .

 

Thanks for that list Josh. Rusty - I don't tow at the moment. I just found how to do EOT and FICM Main Power and have added those to the App.

The idea is that I've got multiple pages that I can add digital gauges to. I can fit 6 gauges on a page and still be able to read them easy enough sitting from the driver seat with the phone on a dock on the dash. The idea is that I want the 6 main things I should ALWAYS be monitoring to be on my main page as I'm not going to be flipping back and forth through pages while driving the truck. I figured ECT, EOT, TFT, FICM Main Power, and Boost are 5 of those things. Should I put battery voltage on there as well?

What I can do is make more pages that have things on them that aren't as important to constantly monitor, but are good things to have ready to go for diagnostic purposes. Should I just set up pages for the things Josh listed?

 

For those of you wondering where the Torque PID lists are:

Forums &mdash; » Torque OBD ECU Scanner » Torque Discussion / Ideas » Ford 6.0L Diesel Extended PIDSTorque

Also, this is a helpful site too:

Write Up: Monitoring the 6.0L PSD. - Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum

I'm thinking that my main page will consist of:

Coolant temp
Oil temp
Trans temp
FICM Main Power
Injection Control Pressure
Battery voltage

I'm thinking of making the 2nd page this:

Engine load
Gear with TCL
Injector pulse width
Turbo boost
Fan
IPR

 

How would you go about reading injector pulse width on Torque? That's the not same as IPR is it? Also, I found the PID to read current gear but am not sure how you can read current gear and TCL. I'm thinking that's only for the more advanced setups. I might just set mine up for current gear and leave it.

 

Just an FYI - none of the tools mentioned yet have proven themselves as good code readers. Maybe the newer tools like the DashBoss does good, but I haven't seen that proven out yet. The DashDaq does better on the code reading than the scangauge, CTS, or TorqueApp.

The best tool is the AutoEnginuity w/ the proper software bundle.

 

DashBoss has read plenty of codes for me in other vehicles.

Not sure how one goes to "prove" how good it is.

Josh

 

You are correct, but I think you're missing an important point. Many folks can't or won't pay the bucks for the AE. The reason for the post was to point out an inexpensive option that doesn't get mentioned in these discussions. for the price of AE you could buy this ELM based scanner and software more than 13 times over and you can know what your ICP is reading just as well with either one. If you want the ability to run a cylinder balance test you gotta pay to play and many folks simply ain't going to spend the bucks for something they might need one day. While this is clearly not the best thing available, as I said above, for the right person this could be an economical and effective option.

 

I didn't miss the point, I was just adding information (and I agree a $23 tool is a fantastic deal!). When you say diagnostic tools though, many people think beyond a gauge package. I agree with your point on the AE - I don't have one for the reason you mentioned. I didn't think adding the information was detracting from your post so I went for it. BYW - The AE price of it is $360, so it isn't like it is going to be breaking anyones bank account, but there certainly are cheaper options!

As far as proving out the DashBoss, I think it is obvious ...................

Post up the codes it reads for you as you use it and eventually the "databank" will be filled in. I am a patient person and read a lot and document a lot .................

One key is if it is good at reading transmission codes. That is a knock-out for many cheaper code readers.

 

My truck doesn't throw any codes...

But DashBoss read a Mercedes Sprinter van DTC codes involving the glow plugs that many decent handheld scanners do not even come close.

Josh

 

Did you forget that you have a fleet of 25 6.0L trucks .............. If you haven't been using it on any of them, then I don't see how you can brag on its abilities with the Ford OBDII w/ CAN platform.

As far as a Mercedes goes - well thats good but it doesn't add any assurance regarding the 6.0L.

I am not doubting it is a good tool, but you seem a little biased to your neighbors product. You have done a good job posting the PIDs it reads. That has been convincing and helpful. Just do that w/ the DTC's it reads as you experience them (with other peoples trucks of course .....).