HI all!

I have a 2005 F250 6.0. I've been having trouble starting my truck when its get in the 40's and 30's. I recently bought the block heater cord and installed it. That made a HUGE difference. It made it a lot easier to start. This morning it is 15 degrees here in GA and this thing will not start. I've had the block heater plugged in all night, turned the key on and cycled the glow plugs 5 times. Nothing! I've nearly killed the battery's trying to start it. At one point it started and ran for about 5 to 10 seconds and died. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions????

 

Cycling the glow plugs multiple times will not help you the glow plugs will continue to run after the light goes off. The first thing you need to do is recharge the batteries and check the ficm voltage. Anything lower than 45 volts at anytime and ficm is toast. In which case the charging system is needs to be tested.

 

I've got a battery charger on it now. As soon as the battery's started to die I put it on charge. I'm gonna go out and try that. What do you mean by the charging system needs to be tested. I know voltage is everything on this stuff.

 

ok. took the cover off the ficm and tested the post that is closest to the driver side fender. key on its showing 48v. tried to start it and it dropped to 22. is that normal?

 

The charging system not being up to par is the main reason for a ficm problem the low voltage will kill the ficm. What I mean by the charging system needing to be tested is the batteries need to be load tested even if they are newer it doesn't mean they're good especially if the alternator isn't doing its job and the alternator needs to be bench tested if you don't monitor you voltages which would help you to avoid situations like this. The problem with testing the alt on a bench is that it may pass cold but not be able to keep up when hot. The best solution is to monitor voltages with an obdii device like a scangauge ii or edge insight which also lets you keep your eye on your oil and coolant temps as well. Anyway here is link on testing your voltage without an Obd device from ficmrepair.com a sight sponsor and the best place to have your ficm repaired if needed.
17. Can I test my FICM to ensure that it is the culprit?

 

ok. thank you! i recently replaced the alternator from ford and new battery's. its never been this hard to start.

 

Have you put any Diesel Kleen, or equivalent in your tank? The winter version of DK (white bottle) contains an anti-gel additive.
A fuel pressure gauge also helps in this situation as well after a fuel filter change.

 

that's kind of what i was thinking. I'm guessing you don't have winter blend fuel down there, so maybe you're getting some gelling. Check your fuel filter.

 

Thanks for the referrals, guys!!

Dropping to 22 volts is far from normal and your actual issue. Your FICM is sadly game over. At issue could be a power board issue, a logic board issue, the software on your module, or a combination of all of these.

Conveniently, we work on both sides of these modules and can review/update the software if that's what's needed.

Chances are solid that your charging system issues from the recent past are the reason you are having this issue now, sadly.

Hope this helps!

FICMRepair.com - FORD Powerstroke 6.0 FICM Repair, PHP Tuning and Truck Parts ftw!

 

misky6.0 I did get a bottle of DK 911 and poured some in the fuel filter and remainder in the fuel tank.

FICMrepair.com - I have had issues starting this truck when its cold out but never this hard. could the FICM been going bad in the past and finally give up? or just from me trying to start it and draining the batterys cause the failure. I just want to make sure that this is my only issue. I have had injector problems in the past but its been on the oil pressure side and they have been corrected ( Unless I have another one leaking that i don't know about)

How much do you charge for repairs and possibly installing a FICM Tune?
you can email me stringbean1221@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!!!!!!

 

I tried to reply but for what ever reason it didn't post.

i got a bottle of DK 911 and poured some in fuel filter and the rest in the fuel tank. still no start.

FICMrepair.com i want to make sure that this is my only issue. Is this something that will gradually cause issues and then just quit or did i cause it trying to start it draining the batterys. I've had issues with cold starts in the low 40's and 30's. How much do you charge to repair/replace the FICM and possibly adding a FICM tune?

stringbean1221@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!!!!!

 

Do yourself a favor and fill the tank all the way up if you didn't to dilute that crap, so you don't add resealing 8 injectors to replacing the FICM..... which is 100% dead right now, no way around that fact. Get the $325 service at least:
Service Levels

You ONLY use 911 to de-ice filters and reliquify gelled diesel. It does absolutely nothing if your diesel is already liquid, and is EXTREMELY hard on the injectors and seals because it has an alcohol in it. White bottle in the winter, grey in the summer. Only use the RED bottle if your filters look like this, and only if you don't have another set and absolutely positively have to move the truck right then:

 

I actually filled it up on the way home yesterday. first time ever using the 911 and will be the last. I plan to get with FICMrepair.com in the morning and get some more information. Thanks for the advice