Engine Idle Control

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 3, 2004 | 09:34 AM

#16

JimRietz

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 117

Likes: 0

From: The Villages, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcturner

Jim: That's a great idea. If you figure it out, please post the details.

Ok, this may be a bit complicated, but pay attention - you can do this. Once completed, one UpFitter switch will raise the idle to 1200 rpm (6.0L).

Project Cost: $47,560 (including truck)
Project Time: 4-6 weeks (includes truck ordering, building, & delivery time)

You will need the following:

1ea - 2005 Ford Truck
2ea - red butt connectors (or solder & tape)
1ea - available UpFitter switch (although any 12v switched source will do)
1ea - access to this forum

1ea - crimping tool
1ea - long nose pliers
6" - stranded hook-up wire (14-16 ga)
11 mm - socket
1ea - ratchet for socket
1ea - ability to follow directions (with pictures)

Optional:

1ea - garage large enough to enclose the truck (especially when raining)
1 to 6 - 12 oz refreshments
1 - Ford Tough tatoo
1ea - Electrical Engineering Degree

1pr - non-conductive footwear

Directions:

Remove all rings, watches, & bracelets (a must when doing electronics)
Remove the drivers side access panel (below the steering wheel)
Using the 11mm socket & ratchet, remove the 4 bolts which hold the fuse panel. Gently, pull the fuse box through the opening and leave it hang.
Look for the UpFitter wire bundle as noted in this photo:
Choose which switch you want to use. I used Aux-4 as it is one of the 10 amp circuits and only a signal voltage is required. Here is a list of wires:
Aux-1 Circuit No 1936 wire color: Orange/Lt. Green [30amp]
Aux-2 Circuit No 1933 wire color: Orange [30amp]
Aux-3 Circuit No 1934 wire color: Orange/Yellow [10amp]
Aux-4 Circuit No 1935 wire color: Orange/Lt. Blue [10amp]
Pull the black end off the chosen wire and strip off 1/4" of the insulation.
Crimp one end of one butt connector to this wire.
Prepare the 6" wire by stripping 1/4" of the insulation off both ends.
Crimp one end of the 6" wire to the open end of the butt connector used above.
Crimp another butt connector to the other end of the 6" wire.
Locate the top of the parking brake pedal (approximately 6" below the AUX wires).
Locate the SEIC/CASC wire bundle (about 12 wires with black ends) as noted in this photo:
Locate the solid ORANGE wire. There are many orange wires in this bundle, but most have a color tracer. You must use the SOLID orange wire.
Pull the black end off the SOLID ORANGE wire and strip off 1/4" of the insulation.
Insert the SOLID ORANGE wire into the open end of the butt connector attached to the 6" hookup wire.
This completes the electrical portion of this project. You need to replace the fuse box and access cover.

Testing

All the following are required to enable high idle:

Parking brake applied.
Foot off of service brake.
Vehicle in PARK (automatic trans.)
Foot off of clutch (manual trans.)
Foot off of accelerator pedal
Vehicle speed is 0 mph (stationary)
Brake lights functional
Engine at a stable base idle speed

Start your engine! Flip the UpFitter switch. The engine will idle up to 1200 rpm. If any of the required items changes state, the engine will go to its normal idle speed. If the item state is changed back to the required state, the idle will return to 1200 within 3 seconds.

There are many options available (higher rpm, gas engine information, E-series, etc) and all are noted in this document I noted in my first post in this thread (thanks Y-Guy).

Happy Hi-Idling!

Jim

Nov 3, 2004 | 10:27 AM

#17

IB Tim

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 161,999

Likes: 75

From: 3rd Rock

Very cool, nice job, and great photos

Nov 3, 2004 | 02:08 PM

#18

zenitram

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 133

Likes: 0

From: Clovis, CA

Is there anyone who has completed this "mod" for the 05? I just purchased the AIC for my 04 and love it! (even tho the box is slightly oversized)

Nov 3, 2004 | 02:33 PM

#19

Lazy Cat

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

I'm confused. This sounds like a simple way to elevate the idle. Why does the aftermarket make a unit like the Throttle Commander ($149 U.S.) to do the same that $1 worth of parts can do?

Nov 3, 2004 | 05:07 PM

#20

R1ZOOM

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

From: USA

Is the wiring and procedure tha same for the 04 trucks? Thanks for the great pics and info.

Nov 3, 2004 | 05:10 PM

#21

R1ZOOM

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

From: USA

Also, where does the upfitter switch come into play? Maybe I am blind but I don't see where to wire it in? Thanks.

Nov 3, 2004 | 05:23 PM

#22

4mil

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 124

Likes: 0

From: SoCal

Do you know if it works for an 03'????

Nov 3, 2004 | 05:49 PM

#23

mystic201

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

Thank you very much Jim that is exactly what I was looking for.

FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Verdad Gallardo

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Joe Kucinski

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Brett Foote

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Brett Foote

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Joe Kucinski

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Joe Kucinski

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Michael S. Palmer

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Joe Kucinski

Nov 3, 2004 | 07:28 PM

#24

Frobozz

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 1,011

Likes: 0

To answer all the ['04/'03/etc] questions: this is new for '05. Pre '05, you have to buy the big ugly AIC box.

Duncan

Nov 3, 2004 | 08:09 PM

#25

JimRietz

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 117

Likes: 0

From: The Villages, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by R1ZOOM

Also, where does the upfitter switch come into play? Maybe I am blind but I don't see where to wire it in?.

The UpFitter wires shown come from the circuit breakers (mounted behind the main glove box) which are connected to the optional UpFitter dashboard switches. The wires are just provided from Ford to make final connections.

If you have an '05 without UpFitter switches, but do have the SEIC/CASC wire bundle (I'm guessing they may be stock on all trucks - gas or diesel), all you need is a switched 12v source (your own switch).

HTH,

Jim

Nov 3, 2004 | 08:21 PM

#26

JimRietz

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 117

Likes: 0

From: The Villages, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy Cat

I'm confused. This sounds like a simple way to elevate the idle. Why does the aftermarket make a unit like the Throttle Commander ($149 U.S.) to do the same that $1 worth of parts can do?

Well, I'm guessing the profit on the device you mention may be $148...

I don't know exactly what that device does, but there are other options such as different idle levels, feedback circuits which could control features, etc. For me, 6" of wire and two butt connectors work perfectly.

Jim

Nov 4, 2004 | 05:08 PM

#27

Lazy Cat

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

Does this work for a manual as well as a automatic transmission? On page 8 (a resistor chart) of the Q-108 service bulletin it says a manual trans. needs a resistor.

Nov 4, 2004 | 05:28 PM

#28

JimRietz

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 117

Likes: 0

From: The Villages, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy Cat

Does this work for a manual as well as a automatic transmission? On page 8 (a resistor chart) of the Q-108 service bulletin it says a manual trans. needs a resistor.

It appears that you need a 43K Ohm 5% 1/4 watt resister to idle at 1200 rpm. Radio Shack doesn't appear to have that exact size (on their website), but here's what I would do (it will cost you $2 total and you can do 5 trucks...).

Get Catalog #: 271-1342 - 47K ohm 1/4W 5% Carbon Film Resistor pk/5
and Catalog #: 271-1339 - 22K ohm 1/4W 5% Carbon Film Resistor pk/5

Try the 47K first, it may work just fine. It may not get to 1200 rpm. If not, use two 22Ks in series for 44K. That should give you very close to the required 43K. A 22K single will give you 1320 rpm.

Now, if you have a Fry's Electronic around, you might be able to get the exact size.

HTH,

Jim

Nov 4, 2004 | 05:37 PM

#29

Lazy Cat

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

Thanks for the info Jim. I ordered my truck last week and expect it around Christmas. We'll give it a try then.

Gary

Nov 4, 2004 | 06:57 PM

#30

rocknmud

Junior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 79

Likes: 0

From: N.H.

Well this explains why it does not work on my truck. Does the resistor go in line from the orange wire to the upfitter switch? Thanks