My truck was running really rough (skipping) and had trouble starting when cold. Took it to our local diesel shop and the FICM at idle voltage was 27 volts. FICM replaced with a 58 volt FICM. This corrected MOST of the issue -- it is amazing how well the truck picks up now when stepping on the pedal. However, at an idle, I'm still getting some skipping (feels like the truck is going to quit) and it starts hard when cold (we live in FL... so cold means 80* in the morning). My husband and I will be taking the truck back to the diesel garage, but I want to have some knowledge of what could potentially be happening so that we can understand the mechanic. Any words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance!
Linda

 

sounds like stiction with cold starts.
what kind of oil and filters do you use?
any additives?

 

We currently use Rotella oil but the diesel place we took the truck to said not to use Rotella. Ford tells us to use Rotella (my hubby drives a Freightliner semi and uses Rotella in it too). Everyone has an opinion and it gets very confusing. :-/. We were also experimenting with fuel additives and trying something from the big rig repair shop (can't remember name right now and not home to check the bottle). We were using Lucas. Again, the diesel repair shop we took my 350 to said they had something "better."

Suggestions?

 

Archoil 9100 with a Rotella oil 5w-40 oil change. That will clear the stiction issue.

 

And if i may add MOTORCRAFT OR RACOR FILTERS ONLY!,and the factory filter cap.

 

I agree with the last post only Racor or ford filters. Racor makes the ford filters and alot cheaper.

 

Update:
We took the truck back because we were still having issues with hesitation. When we pulled into the parking lot, the truck was skipping and running really rough while idling in park. As soon as the tech plugged in his "scanner" (whatever that is called), the skipping stopped. We had him take the truck for a test drive (still plugged into his scanner) and it ran perfectly for 45 minutes (long test drive). Took the truck home and the skipping started back up and progressively got worse. Fast forward two weeks and I decided to unplug our ScanGuage II to see if that had something to do with the problem. The skipping, rough running has nearly completely gone away. I don't understand why the ScanGuage would have anything to do with it! Suggestions? I'm about to go buy a Chevy.

 

Email the ScanGauge people and ask them. It may have a prob electrically.

 

Where in Florida are you? I'm on the west coast...Sarasota/Ft Myers area.

 

Linda , I don't think it's the scan Gauge, this is reading sensor Values via OBD port only, I have been known to be wrong before ( once this year) lol take a look at ICP ( injector control pressure) and ICPV =(volts)

 

Oh and 1 more thing with engine running , on the passenger side valve cover is the ICP sensor , Inspect for oil leaking out the connection side,
also do a wiggle test on that connection.

 

If the Scanguage was loading down the CAN bus it could cause problems.
Computers have to talk to each other and they talk over that bus.

But like BPofMD said you need to get the people over at Linear-Logic
in the loop. After all they do make the SCANGUAGE 2.
It's a LAN type network and if the signal is being loaded down...


I found this for you to look at >>> http://www.esd-electronics-usa.com/C...ing-Guide.html

Sean

 

I would completely agree but 2 different scanners were used. In this case, what is the constant factor dragging the circuits down? Problem with the OBD port with nothing plugged in causing a logic curcuit to go to ground? Electronics, where strange #@$! happens.

Edit...completely miss read the OP's post. Sorry Sean

Scan Guage or cable between it and OBD port would be suspect to me.

John

 

Have a read of that link. All it takes is an impedance mismatch.
Or a short in the hardware.

Sean

 

AHH , OK make it twice tried to Rep ya Sean you know the drill , Thanks for the link very Interesting