I have a copy of this one if you want it. Send me an email address for me to send it to if you want.

 

Bismic, is there another new update for '03 trucks? Do you know what the changes are over the previous inductive heating flash? I almost got mine flashed this winter, but I'm going to hold off until next winter now. Running Hot Shot's Secret next oil change, hopefully that will help with the cold starts, then after the cleanout I'm switching to synthetic. I'm mostly interested in shift improvements with the newer flashes, I have the flash which removed the EBP sensor, nothing newer.

 

Thanks again bismic, after a phone call to AllData this morning they came through with a fax copy of the
TSB 08-26-3. I was really impressed with how ALLData came through within a hour of my original call to
a manager. They said that if there were any other issues with a TSB not being listed on their web site,
they will research it and if they have it they would fax or email it directly to the subscriber. As it turns
out they just received this TSB on 1/3/09 indicating that it could take up to three months to post it on
their web site.

In short summary the original TSB 07-5-4 for induction heat Flash has been expanded to include: 1) a Flash
for the induction heat(same as 07-5-4); 2) check for wire chafing on the FICM harness at identified locations,
3). a 4 page through diagnostic check of the FICM in the area of injector operations. It is stated to cover vehicles
2003-2005 Excursion, 2003-2007 F-super Duty and 2004-2009 E350, E450, E550.

So it seems that the induction heat Flash is still the core of the new TSB but they also added diagnostic tests
for the FICM. Note that serveral of our board members have reported problems with the area of the FICM.

 

Just in case some one read my post wrong, i did not get the Inductive heat flash under warranty. I got a new FICM under warranty that had the heat flash programmed in. the FICM that was removed did not have the inductive heat flash. Phonex, i just emailed you that answer, havent looked at the thread for a couple of days. the dealer is Bergstrom FORD of neenah

 

Just picked up my truck tonight and had the dealer check it out for a hard start on cold mornings. They did the new TSB 08-26-03 on it. Here is what was stated on my receipt:

"Hard Starting when cold. Advise. MT=perform FICM DIAG & PMI Per TSB 08-26-03 Started engine cold. Engine started OK. 2 sec crank but ran rough until engine was warm was then OK. Checked oil . Air and Fuel OK. Check OASIS Found TSB 08-26-03. Check codes passed. KOEO injector test passed. KOER test passed. Power Bal cold showed Injectors 2,7 and 8 missing. relative comp passed performed FICM diag as per TSB 08-26-03 All test passed performed PMI as per TSB which RERO FICM. Performed PMI as per TSB and restarted engine cold to verify repari engine started normal and ran good cold. test drove and retest OK." Hopefully injectors 2,7, & 8 last for me.....

Seems to be running better. Will try it out when I have a cold morning. Also, thanks BISMIC for the tip on the scratched windows. Since truck still under 36k, had window glass and seals replaced under warranty. Flash was done under warranty as well.

 

In reviewing the warranty guide which comes with our trucks it would appear that beyond the Limited Warranty (3year/36,000 mile) there is the 5year/100,000 mile warranty on the diesel "engine and engine components" ...."against defects in factory supplied material and workworkmanship". However note that there is a "$100 deductable for each repair visit". This is the part where some unscrupulous dealers want to charge you a fee for the Flash, $100 and up. Further reading of the warranty guide states that there is additional coverage on diesel engines of 5year/100,000 under the Emissions Defects and Performance warranty. Covered components include "Fuel injection system" .The FICM is an engine component and integral part of the fuel injection system. The Flash/calibration/software is the functional aspect of the FICM and workmanship. According to Fords customer satisfaction program 08B02 qualified repairs under " ....the vehicle emissions warrenty...has NO deductible...".

I have recieved an email from the service department manager of the current dealership I'm working with agreeing to do the Flash Per TSB 08-26-03 under the applicabale Emissions 5year/100,000 warrenty coverage.

 

I got my truck back on Saturday morning. The invoice says that the tech replaced injectors #5 and #7. Doesn't say anything about doing the new flash strategy. I noticed that my trip meter did not seem to be reset either. Am I right in thinking that he did not update to the new inductive heating flash? Is there any reason why he wouldn't have other than he didn't know what to do? I gave him the TSB numbers and the printouts that Bismic sent me.

 

I'm only guessing but if they are like my local dealer, they will claim they don't have to do it. Why? Because they found what they would call a problem, injectors 5&7. They willl then claim it is not needed, that to Flash it would be a performance improvement not covered under warrenty and therefore not needed. If one wants this Flash they claim they will have to diagnois the problem? Charge you for diagnostics then decided whether it is needed or not, then charge you more if THEY decide it is needed. Do I hear $$$$$$$$ ? The last dealer I spoke with said they would do it under the Emission Warranty if the truck exhibits the problems as described in the TSB. But right now its not as cold (-32 F) as it use to be so the trunk runs fine and you can not demonstrate the problem when its only +10 F.

What I'm starting to find a little curious is that if you review many of the posts on this board for the trucks in Alaska and Canada you will not find the kind of discussion on this inductive heat Flash as you find going on Il, Mn, Wi, ND, SD Wy, etc. Alaska (-50 to -70 F) gets a bit cooler then we do in northern IL (-32 F).

Maybe bismic or one of the other regulars from the northern territories have more info on this mystery?

 

Wonder if trucks shipped to dealers in that area automatically have the heat flash prog. not really sure, but what ever it costs you to have the truck Reflashed, its worth it.Start up in sub zero temps has been real easy lately.

 

my 04 excursion is at the dealer right now. It would "catch" for a sec but would not start. talked to the tech and he seems to think that the new flash will fix the problem. he said he will run all the checks but does not seem to think that it is a FICM problem. Will keep everyone updated.

Mike

 

Bump for any more info about this new Flash.. and how it differs form the inductive heating flash.

I have been having cold start issues with my 04 if the block was under 30 deg F it would barely crank and one day the block was at 10 deg F and it would not crank. It was throwing codes PO611 and the codes for low voltage on all cylinders. I replaced the batteries and it threw all of those codes again inside a week and start problems are still there. It is at the dealership right now. I talked to the dealership this afternoon and they said they put a new flash in it and it started up fine this afternoon but they where going to wait till in the morning and crank it up and see if all the injectors where good. I am just worried because I know it has not been cold enough for it to be really hard to crank and my warranty is up next Wed lol. I don't want it to be the injectors and this flash not fix it but not know till next week when it is cold again.. and then I am fitting the bill.

And my truck has had the stock tune in it since November so i know that is not the issue

 

it still uses the basic heat flash but it also gave instructions on checking the wiring harness and running a few different tests. Please someone correct if my info is not correct. Mike

 

You are correct. There has been no update to the calibration (flash). They have only updated and added information to the diagnostic procedure...

 

update on mine today was I am getting a new FICM

 

HEALED!!! The FICM Heat Flash fixed the truck! Quit plugging in block heater in (after all it never got below 25 here and rarely makes it to the 30s). No more white smoke... no rough starts... no lack of power. And Yes they charged me the minimum of 1 service hour - $99. All in all, a pretty cheap fix compared to other stuff. (Yes, I think it should be a covered under warranty but its' not.)