Got her back from the flash and a new EGR(tech said it was faulty) and now off the line it sputters, chokes, dead pedal and blows a cloud of white smoke until I get the RPM's up. It also seems to surge a little at cruising speeds. It's a brand new EGR, could it already be bad? What do you guys think.
note: totally stock, 03 with 49XXX
Thanks,
Jay

 

Fireferg73, any resolution to your problem? Mine's blowing black smoke, sputtering and shifting hard since the update.

 

I was thinking of having the flash done, but know im really thinking about it.

Anyways I might have it done since I live in California and they say something about my registration. I have an 04 6.0 Excursion. One quick questions. How long does it take the tranny to relearn the shift points?

Rubeng

 

Mine's at the dealer as I type. My SA just called and said it's getting a turbo, current one is hanging up. This recall will really exploit anything that is already wrong with your truck.

The new strategy with 06E17 changes a lot of the patameters, so it could make a small problem worse (my issue I'm sure.)
FWIW, I asked my SA about checking the truck over i.e. testing turbo,egr,vgt before the recall was performed and he said NO! Ford told them to do the recall first, even though this makes no logical sense. Either was, it was/is an incredible waste of my valuable time.

With the low power and black smoke, I would think EGR/Turbo/VGT
See ya,
Jay

 

Ruben, you will most likely have to get the recall done since your in Cali- MVD will hold your registration hostage.

For the tranny, you should go through a few series of upshifts light/med/hard throttle- in normal and in T/H. It also helps to warm it up and go through all of the gears one by one while at a stop. P-R-D-3-2-1. I definitely agree doing this helps with the at times very harsh P-R shift (at least in my truck.)
See ya,
Jay

 

FireFerg73,


Keep me posted on how your truck runs with the new Turbo. Did you have to pay a deductible? I'll probably have mines done before the Bumper to Bumper warranty is up.

Do you always shift through the gears while at a stop or is it a one time deal?


RubenG

 

Yes on the $100 ded.

One time deal on the tranny. Any time you D/C the batteries, it will go through a relearn process along with the other computer components.

SA called tonight and said that it's done, but they want to keep till morning to see how it drives in the A.M.
Jay

 

I've had my truck in several times for a very intermittent lack of power problem. Usually cruising along at 65-68 MPH. Mat the accelerator and nothing. It would stay at what ever speed the cruise was set on, the RPMs would jump up and you could feel it gear down, but it would not speed up. Sometimes I could let up and mat it again and it would go. Other times it took a few tries to get it going.

Wonder if I've had Turbo/VGR/EGR problems all along and this update has found it? They did replace the accelerator assembly once or twice and it seemed to have cured it for a little while, or maybe it was just that intermittent.

 

Was looking at the dieselman's site and found hs write-up about this recall.

What is interesting is the extra procedure to clear codes(if any) and test drive.... makes me wonder if those with "bad experiences" with this recall did not have it done with the latest WDS computer update number or if the procedure used was not done correctly????

Seems there is/was a broadcast message to go along with this recall???

Here is the cut and paste of info:

2003/04 Computer Programming Recall 06E17:
Truck built before 9-29-03 are being recalled to have the computer reprogrammed. The reason for this recall is to correct fuel injection timing during cold operation, EGR valve control, lack of power, check engine light illumination (P02263 or P0299), hard starting and rough running concerns related to Exhaust BackPressure sensor corrosion. Other symptoms not listed in this recall, but which could occur, would be excessive smoke, turbo control and surging at idle or cruise. The new update eliminates the EBP sensor input to the computer. The exhaust backpressure will now be inferred/calculated using other sensor signals. Trucks should be reprogrammed using versions 41.8 or 42.1 or higher.

After this reprogramming, the turck should be test driven, the computer checked for a codes and the codes cleared (even if none are present), the key cycled on for five seconds, then turned off twice, then the engine started and allowed to idle for 5 minutes at operating temperature to allow the computer to relearn the EGR valve closed position value. This is to prevent erronious codes or driveability sysmptoms related to the EGR valve an turbo performance. Broadcast Messages 5452, 5529.

You should notice an increase in turbo cycling closed/whistling at idle and at stops. This is normal, and is to help keep the variable vanes from sticking.

 

A new turbo seems to have resolved my issues. Only paid the $100 deductible of a $1900+ bill.

Drove it about 20 miles and it seems fine. Time will tell...

 

They replaced the turbo and a broken wire on the MAP sensor and all seems well with mine. I do not notice any difference at idle, no change in sound/turbo pitch to my ears. Seems a little more responsive off the line with the new turbo, no more hesitation/fart/stumble. Tranny still shift like crap when it's cold(only getting down to 70 at night here) and still has random 1-2 harsh shifts while at operating temps. Lost all of my turbo whistle with new turbo installed.

Jay

 

I may be the exception here, but I had the truck ('03 6.0L) in this morning for the recall reflash. It has improved the slight "dead" pedal on accel from a stop light to pretty good initial acceleration. The truck definitely seems to respond better. I had no issues with the truck before hand, took it in for an oil change last week and the service rep told me that there was a recall in effect for my truck. Now for the new exhaust!!!

 

Mine seems slower out of the hole, but the mpg is up slightly from where it was for the last year (after Jan 2005 flash) (03 6.0 X). The mpg still is not where it was prior to these flashes. My 2000 7.3 X got better mileage than this is getting now.

 

My truck seems to be running fine and I want to keep it that way. Just turnned 72,000 Miles. I got the recall notice in March along with a "IMPORTANT SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS" letter Stating that Aftermarket Mods may result in poor performance issues. I have removed the Preditor but I did change out the exaust system turbo back with cat in line still. If this reflash causes more problems than it fixes than I don't want it. Keep on posting results please.

 

I had mine done about week ago. I drove it 125 miles x 2 and my truck is back. The mileage is back, the smoothness is back, runs like a top. They also replaced my turbo with the updated version for the second time. The first one was not the updated one. I was thinking MAYBE trading on the loyal 03-04 owners program but if it keeps running like it is I may keep it until.....