Some may recall the struggle I had last year getting my truck running again. It died after a lightning strike and after fixing quite a few other issues with it, it ended up being a dead IDM.

I currently have an IDM in it that I bought from a fellow FTE member, but it's not quite as nice physically as mine. The pins look to be corroded and the exterior of the case itself is deeply pitted in places. Since I put that IDM in, I've had three occasions where the truck died on me after I hit a bump. The first time it died completely and I had to pull off the road and restart it. It started and ran fine until a day or two later when I hit another bump and then a third. The second and third times, it nearly died but hesitated and then recovered a moment later without me doing anything.

I recognize that it could be a valve cover or UVCH issue but I feel like it's the IDM because it's been replaced and might have corrosion on the pins or maybe even elsewhere.

So I want to get a new (rebuilt) IDM. Who would you go with? Jonathan is VERY proud of his rebuilt IDMs and I can find vendors online who supply a modified one (higher voltage) in the $200 to $300 range.

Any recommendations before I just pick one?

 

I'm sorry to hear that, Andy. That was in my DD until I got a 120V out of the short bus I bought and it gave me no trouble. Is there a way to ensure that that is your issue? I'd hate to see you spend even more on it and still have the problem.

 

It's so intermittent - it only happened three times on a ~1200 mile trip - that I'm not sure there's a reliable way to narrow down the issue without going in and replacing parts. I probably *should* replace the gaskets and UVCH anyway, but I don't want to add another thing to my to-do list before moving next month. As it is, I'm going to have to take it somewhere to swap the IDM anyway.

 

Just a thought, but is your fuel bowl heater still in tact? I was having problems with mine intermittently cutting off when driving .. never did figure out what was causing it (it had happened right after I changed my glowplugs and harnesses, so i was initially worried I $@!#'ed it up) until it died and wouldn't restart on me (and took out the fuse under the dash, no WTS, etc) that led me there and it was fixed....

If yours is still plugged in wouldn't take but a few minutes to unhook it and do some bumpy road test driving again to see if you can recreate...Mine happened 2-3 times, then went away for almost 3 months, before the final one that kept taking out the fuse...

 

Andy, give Jonathan a call, he repairs them, tests etc... I sent my PCM and they have retinned a week before Christmas, he got it on a Thursday morning,fixed it and headed back out the same day !
Edit: maybe that’s who you were referring to, but he does good work .


https://www.dieseltechchatt.com/prod...cm-idm-testing

 

I was going to suggest calling also but having my IDM repaired by Jonathan last month if he tests it and finds something wrong, he will do a full rebuild not just the failed part repaired. I take it that is not what your looking for.
BTW Jonathan gives a warranty on his work should you decide to go that route.

 

I did contact Jonathan at diesel tech chatt. I don't want to rehash the conversation here but I wasn't impressed with his pricing on these.

He's sending mine back to me, which I will need as a replacement core.

 

What company had the 120v idm upgrade, for 150.00 w/ exchange?

 

I bought the upgraded HF/HV IDM from Jonathan over at DTC. I could not be happier with the results, but the price is steep. Smoother idle, smoother acceleration and as of right now an increase of 2 MPG on my 70 mile drive to and from work. No I am not crazy...I did in fact write 2 MPG INCREASE on my commute, and it is not in my imagination. My engine and truck are in tip top shape from front to back and top to bottom, and I am sure that plays a part in how well the upgraded IDM works out for any particular individual's truck. If you have low compression or tired injectors, I suspect the results would not be so great.

 

Based on the going price for a HF/HV IDM, it is not too steep of a price.

Swamps @ $500 - https://swampsmotorsports.com/produc...driver-module/

DTC @ $545 - https://www.dieseltechchatt.com/prod...dm-performance

FFD @ $475 - https://shop.fullforcediesel.com/dtc-idm-upgrade

I am hot aware of any other HF/HV IDM's available to us...

@Nicmike What was your MPG rate before the HF/HV IDM install? I get a solid 18.5 MPG on my truck in mixed driving and consider that at the high end of the MPG's available to those of us driving the 20 year old 7.3 diesel.

Great info and thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

 

I was seeing regular MPGs on my mostly highway, fairly flat, 70 mile commute of... 20.5...yes, I drive 65 mph. I am running 275/70/18 tires. Everyone passes me...

After I put the IDM from Jonathan in, I am now seeing between 22.5 and 23.2 depending on my timing of the few lights I catch on my route to work. Again, I drive 65 mph and I relax while I drive. I don't participate in the rat-race.

On another note, my idle is now at 45dB inside the cab on the sound meter. Cruising at 65 mph is 59 dB. I recently soundproofed my truck, so there is that, too.

Here is another source/price for you: https://shop.fullforcediesel.com/dtc-idm-upgrade

 

I am the same way, except I have OEM 16" wheels and tires. Like you, I drive 65 MPH and I understand 100% how and why you get those MPG's.

My rough and quick math might be wrong, but it looks like the IDM will pay for itself (fuel savings) in short order...

 

I definitely want to do this, but I think it's going to have to wait until after I move.

 

You reckless road warriors doing 65 like speed demon kids ....sheesh stay alive drive 55

 

With my truck I found that with the upgraded HPOP and injectors that the upgraded IDM didnt make much difference. Found this out when my upgraded
one failed and I installed a stock one..