aux idle control
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
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From: Long Island
I’m new to the diesel thing and ready to order and E-350. What does the Auxiliary Idle Control do? What would be the pluses or minuses? Cars Direct - Full Function Auxiliary Idle Control (LPO) $170. When ordered in a new truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: MI
Originally Posted by Arundo
I’m new to the diesel thing and ready to order and E-350. What does the Auxiliary Idle Control do? What would be the pluses or minuses? Cars Direct - Full Function Auxiliary Idle Control (LPO) $170. When ordered in a new truck.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 3
From: Fairbanks, AK
Works good in cold weather to keep the engine warmer when idling. Also will help prevent the catalytic converter from plugging up on extended idle periods. Was looking at vehicles at the dealership that didn't have them and was told it would be about $400 in parts to add on. I was also told it was a simple install in Super Duties, mount the bracket and plug into the harness. Saleman also told be that Excursions don't have the harness unless specifically ordered with the AIC. Does anyone know if this is true?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Aux idle control has three modes. One is maintain battery charge, varies the idle RPM between 1200 to 2500 to maintain battery voltage, one is PTO, and the other is simply elevated constant idle speed. On the E-350 it is a panel bolted to a bracket mounted on the center console that covers the two molded in cupholders on the driver side. The cables run out from between gaps in the dash board. Somehow I imagined it being integrated into the dash panel. It is added on at the dealer and the installation looks... well, like an afterthought. Fine for a cargo/work truck. Kinda cheesy in an XLT Wagon.
Morris
Morris
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Orange Park, FL
I ordered with my F-250, cost at order was $178.00, came in a box. I will install it next month, looks very easy to do. I bought in the event I idle for long periods of time, I can kick the rpms up to prevent wet stacking, it only is necessary if idling for more than 10 minutes. I ordered mine just because it was much cheaper to order with the truck than wait and decide later I needed it.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: NorCal, CA
Ditto to that. I dont need it now, but will be moving up to the snow in a few years and thought that extra rpm's would help on those cold morning starts. The install looks pretty simple, even if you're not a wrench-turner by trade.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Florida
My new (March 22, 04) 6.0L CC when cold (air temp about 30 degrees) will raise the idle from 600 to about 1100 after running for approx 60 seconds. It will stay there until you press the brake pedal then return to 600. Why does it do this? Was this an option? It had all the options I wanted so I bought it off the lot. Could this be activated manually somehow?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by kb1aah
My new (March 22, 04) 6.0L CC when cold (air temp about 30 degrees) will raise the idle from 600 to about 1100 after running for approx 60 seconds. It will stay there until you press the brake pedal then return to 600. Why does it do this? Was this an option? It had all the options I wanted so I bought it off the lot. Could this be activated manually somehow?
This is normal when the truck is started and the engine is cold. It helps warm the engine up to operating temperature. To the best of my knowledge, no it cannot be activated manually without the Auxillary Idle Control option being installed.
Welcome to FTE
Hope this helps
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park, FL
Exactly what balckhat620 said!!! The AIC can be used after the truck has been warm, an example someone gave is they travel with a dog in the summer and like to leave the dog in the truck with the AC on while they go in to eat, so he kicks the AIC up to 1200-1300 so the truck can idle for 20-30 minutes (ac running) without wet stacking occurring. In the winter you can have the AIC come on to idle at the rpm you have set. Not sure what the default (standard) rpm idle setting is when you start it up in the cold, but it is not adjustable, the AIC gives you the feature to set your rpm level when you are idling.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Victoria, TX
X and the AIC
To my knowledge, which may not be saying much, the AIC is not a printed option for the X. But you could order one with it and install it manually by tapping into two wires behind the OBD-II. I'm no "wrench turner" so it took me a while to locate the necessary OBD wires, 12V key power, and ground (ground was easy). Once this was identified, the install was a piece of cake.I don't use it very often now but plan to when the temps start huvering around 100. But its cool to see actual rpms when driving.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of NE CA
deacjrt,
I'm new to the diesel thing and ordered AIC with my truck because I plan on installing a hydro winch and thought control of idle while out of the truck would be beneficial. My ? is... what is wet sacking? Also, I live where it gets to single digits often in the winter....I guess AIC will help me there as well. Thanks ahead for the info.
I'm new to the diesel thing and ordered AIC with my truck because I plan on installing a hydro winch and thought control of idle while out of the truck would be beneficial. My ? is... what is wet sacking? Also, I live where it gets to single digits often in the winter....I guess AIC will help me there as well. Thanks ahead for the info.