I will pull the FICM relay if it gets to that point. Right now I'm still cautiously learning about how these SCT programmers work before I actually try to 'return to stock' on my Excursion. I did connect my SCT LiveWire 9600 to what has now become my dedicated non-internet connected Ford Servicing laptop and found out that there are no 'custom' tunes saved onto the device. That tells me that the previous-previous owner just ran a stock canned tune from SCT of the 1.5.0 vintage c2014. I'm thinking about maybe getting a mild tow tune from Gearhead. I already have the Gryphon FICM tuner converted, but have not tried it yet. I'll see how things perform and go from there.

It will be interesting when I return to stock to compare the differences. I'm also particularly interested to see if it will restore any of my malfunction indicator lamp (i.e., check engine light) triggers. On this subject, what is a good safe sensor to unplug to GUARANTEE a check engine light?

FWIW, I think the reason why Ford IDS instructs the user to go WOT for the cylinder balance test is because if the PCM sees a WOT value then it is supposed to prevent fueling...you don't want idiots doing what actually ended up happening with me, a very high RPM start!

 

This evening I officially 'returned to stock' using the LiveWire 9600 device. I let it get up to full operating temperature and took it for a short drive. My butt-cheek dyno could tell that it did not have as much acceleration power, but it still is decent power. Maybe I'm crazy, but the exhaust seemed to have a different smell to it as well. I re-ran the injector contribution test again and it came out very flat again. I tried the WOT method for the relative compression test and it started up again...so I just pulled the FICM relay and it worked fine. Great results, but seems almost too good to believe. I would have expected a slight variation somewhere.



I decided to pull codes with IDS since I had it hooked up and now with the 'stock' PCM tune I generate a P0407 code for EGR missing. I've never had that show up before. Note that even IDS say the the MIL (check engine light) is turned off for this code. How did someone get into the core of the stock tune and turn off ALL my MILs? I really don't like that.

 

Was that hot or cold? I've seen others with all at 100%. My old engine had one at 5%.

 

As far as the programming , that's likely factory , the 03 and 04s didn't trip the light for the EGR

 

That was with the EOT at full 190*F temp for at least 20 minutes.

 

What sensor can I unplug to GUARANTEE a check engine light? My bulb works but I have never seen it turn on...even after unplugging an injector. All codes from FORScan and IDS to date say that the "MIL is turned off" for that item.

 

I'd run a relative compression check cold then too. Keeping the FICM relay out is a good idea. If you run the batteries down during the test, it won't then try to operate the FICM at low voltage and could possibly damage it. Or make sure there is another battery jumped, or a high-output charger connected when doing the test.

 

I just re-ran the test. Got 0% across the board again. Average cranking rpm dropped down to 207 instead of 237 this time, which makes sense.

 

Then you are perfect! Warm expansion can hide a little thing.