Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

What does latest flash do for me?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 11:20 AM
  #16  
ocboat's Avatar
ocboat
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Does anyone know when this latest flash was first available? I bought my Ex used about a year ago from a Ford dealer and wondered if they would have already performed this.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 11:40 AM
  #17  
steelhead2's Avatar
steelhead2
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by brickie
The easiest way to find out if you have this flash is to let your truck idle for a couple minutes when its at opperating temp.The turbo will whistle for about 10 seconds then a slight rumble with a less pronounced whistle for 10ish seconds then rumble like a big block for about the same amount of time.Then start all over again.
the stuff you learn on FTE
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 01:04 PM
  #18  
lawnboy1965's Avatar
lawnboy1965
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Dealership says they no longer are required to put the decale under the hood. I have to agree, if you get any flash done be sure to do this one.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 04:05 AM
  #19  
D8chumley's Avatar
D8chumley
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 9
From: Oaks,PA
Club FTE Gold Member
If you have the "buzz flash" which is the one before, you'll hear the injectors cycle, or " buzz " after you turn off the truck for @ 5 seconds. I think it was supposed to cycle the oil out of the injectors ( for better starts?) but obviously Ford came up with a better idea - Inductive heat . I got it in last fall and I would recommend it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 09:14 PM
  #20  
Blaster7Romeo's Avatar
Blaster7Romeo
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville, NC
Wasn't this flash slightly to blame for the rash of FICM failures some of us had this winter.. because of the extra stress it put on the FICM to heat the injectors?
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:04 PM
  #21  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Blaster7Romeo
Wasn't this flash slightly to blame for the rash of FICM failures some of us had this winter.. because of the extra stress it put on the FICM to heat the injectors?
Some have speculated that this was the case. In all the research I have done (including Ford TSB's), it seems to point more at weak batteries and/or charging systems. If you have issues there, the extra load that the inductive heat flash uses will not help the life of the FICM. However, the root cause is really not the flash.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #22  
tommydd2112's Avatar
tommydd2112
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bismic
Some have speculated that this was the case. In all the research I have done (including Ford TSB's), it seems to point more at weak batteries and/or charging systems. If you have issues there, the extra load that the inductive heat flash uses will not help the life of the FICM. However, the root cause is really not the flash.
I have 04 f350 and last month replaced both the batteries and alternator. Just today the dealer told me my FICM is bad. The battery light on the dash has not gone out since I replace the alternator. Could it be the charging system is the reason for the failed FICM? why doesnt the light go out? the dealer wants $1200.00 to fix the truck. It had numerous problems under warranty, but he said this time is out of warranty. any suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 10:27 AM
  #23  
BKM-WR3's Avatar
BKM-WR3
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
What is the best way to check charging system? Is it as simple as using a volt meter at the battery? What should the volts be at idle and does that depend on the condition of your batteries and lights on not on and so on? What should the volts be from the alternator. Thanks
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Brett Foote
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 10:52 AM
  #24  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
Club FTE Gold Member
I think one of the best investments is a load tester for your batteries. This will tell you if they are healthy or not - a simple voltage check will not. Also, any auto parts store can do the test AND test your alternator amp output and voltage regulation.

When you are driving (a few minutes after startup) your alternator will kick in and at that point your voltages should be 14 to 14.4. To protect the glow plug circuitry, the alternator operation is delayed after initial startup.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 01:06 PM
  #25  
BKM-WR3's Avatar
BKM-WR3
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Bismic I have the high idel mod how long after startup will the Alternator kick in? I know I can not get a true check of my battery with a volt meter but can I properly check Alternator operation and if so what should my reading be at the batery cables with high idel on? 06 PSD. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 10:11 PM
  #26  
93truck's Avatar
93truck
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: ohio
my lastest reflash was in april 08 and the only thing i noticed is about 3mpg drop in mpg
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 07:43 PM
  #27  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by bismic
When you are driving (a few minutes after startup) your alternator will kick in and at that point your voltages should be 14 to 14.4. To protect the glow plug circuitry, the alternator operation is delayed after initial startup.
I need to correct my mis-information (thanks to PowerstrokeHD who provided the correct info):

In a dual alternator setup, the PCM commands ONLY the lower (secondary) alternator to be off upon initial startup. In a single alternator setup, the alternator is operational at startup (only makes sense in re-thinking it).

Here are my voltages:
  • Voltage w/ key off - 12.5
  • Voltage w/ key on engine off (after glow plug light turns off) - 12.0
  • Voltage after startup - 12.0
  • Voltage apprx. 2 minutes after startup - 13.2 (seems to steadily ramp from 12.0)
  • Voltage apprx. 4 minutes after startup - 13.6 (seems to slowly but steadily ramp from 13.2)
High idle operation does not seem to impact the voltage in these tests. It sure seems like there could be some computer control over the voltages, but nothing in the manuals states that this is the case for a single alternator setup.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2009 | 01:01 PM
  #28  
eliwho's Avatar
eliwho
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: ROUND ROCK, TEXAS
This post came at the right time bc my new to me 2004 f250 was making the stuttered turbo whistle and i was just going to take it in to get serviced for it, so thanks again from saving me look like a jerk at the dealership. Should it cycle the turbo this way also while driving at low speeds? ie like it does when idiling.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
05F250DSL
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Mar 16, 2014 01:44 PM
Heckler
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Aug 31, 2010 06:00 AM
rcorcich
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
23
Jan 21, 2010 09:38 PM
desertt5
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
20
Oct 4, 2009 08:26 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:26 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE