I THINK the issues with my truck have been sorted out? I would like to thank everyone for their input. Much appreciated.

The truck remained at the dealer for the weekend but I brought the batteries to the camper with me. I charged them Saturday morning. Sunday morning I checked them and one of my almost new batteries was down to 55%. I charged it again, no load test and tested them again this morning and that same battery was down to 59%. I got both warranted and took them to the dealer. The tech installed them and the engine started. The tach needle also moved during cranking. The tech hooked the scanner up and was now able to scan during engine startup. Now that the PCM was conscious during startup, their was a reoccurring P1316 error code. After some more testing, he determined it was most likely the IDM? He tested the injectors and valve cover harness and they passed. So, I okayed a $617 IDM, that will be here around 3:30 pm mountain time this afternoon. They would not agree to getting a high volt/frequency IDM. I decided to settle for my truck starting reliably again.

If the IDM doesn't fix the error code? I don't have to pay for it. Their going to install the IDM this afternoon, keep it over night to do a cold start in the morning. If all is as it should be? They are going to charge me $617 for the IDM and $198 for labor. The truck was in their since Wednesday morning.

If the truck is in fact fixed? I plan on quizzing the tech if possible for as much detail as I can get. I'm going to ask for the scanner printouts or a copy if possible? Maybe I can get some pictures of them at least?

Hopefully I will be able to post the conclusion tomorrow?

I find it interesting that my thread didn't get one reply in the OBS section (double post for exposure)?

 

I wonder if the low system voltage condition could have caused damage to the IDM? I also wonder if being a modified 140v IDM might have made it more prone to such a voltage?

 

#1 sign of low voltage (bad batteries, battery connections, or grounds):

Scanner dies when starter is engaged or PCM loses data.

 

I have been pondering this also. The IDM has been working fine for 7 years in 140 volt mode though. I don't plan on modding the rebuilt IDM for the time being.

I purchased a USB charger with voltage display. I will be watching that often. I plan on installing a GPR interrupt switch also.

2 weeks ago, I started it and after about 15 seconds it just died. I was shocked, that never happened before. I was parked at the Ace Hardware. I waited about 20 seconds and it started right up. About 15 seconds later, it died again. WTH! After about 30 seconds of thinking, it started right up. This time, out of desperation, I revved it up to about 1000 rpm. It never did it again. That was very unsettling. I built my truck as a overland truck. We are sometimes 30 or more miles out in the desert.

 

My career involved working with computers. We utilized uninterruptible power supplies. Maybe my truck could benefit from one?

 

The P1316 is not necessarily a bad IDM. It is common when some wire goes pfft that prevents the IDM from working. Your old IDM may still be ok so be sure to keep it. Copy/paste "site:www.ford-trucks.com" into your browser followed by P1316, go for the ride. First guess is check the wire harness from the 42 pin connector on the driver side. It drapes across the valve cover where it rubs and shorts.

The cost quoted for IDM and install at dealership is reasonable to me. That plus whatever an invisible but talented tech does that goes unreported may indeed fix it. If so take the win.

A UPS is basically just a battery. The UPS on your truck is 2 strong batteries. Not strong (common) or not good connections (common) and fuhgeddaboutit.

Props for disconnecting the GPs before using ether.

Get some sort of BT adapter (nice will certainly work or that may not) plus Forscan on your Android device, maybe you can read codes and see sensor output. Not sure on a 97 fwiw.

 

Picked up the truck today. Tuppence is running mighty fine. I'll install the Hydra tomorrow and then enjoy some desert time.

The UPS comment was just a joke. A good commercial unit is much more than just a battery.

The actual error code was p1298 not p1316; 64 year old memory.

I have a OBDlink MX bt adapter, it works fine. I need to spend some time learning ForScan, maybe AE?

 

Glad you git it figured out................where are you camped? I've been out every afternoon riding my bike in a tee shirt, gotta love the desert this time of year!

 

West of Parker AZ, it's 70 right now.

 

Sounds like you got her licked. Here's a quote from the thread below:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...alse-flag.html

P1298 - "IDM Failure" (7.3L DIT):

This code can be set by a low battery. Connect a battery charger, clear codes and re-run KOEO tests. If this code doesn't return, check charging system and batteries and repair as necessary. If the code returns, IDM is suspect.



As for FORScan or AE - hard to beat the price vs utility of FORScan. I'd go with that. How-to thread below:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-q-and-a.html

 

Great place to be! Only in the 60's down here in Tucson!