Got it installed last night. Although the OBS bracket that I have isn't a perfect fit, by flipping it around and bending the tab flush I was able to get it to work. I had to jerry rig some new screws because the OEM ones were too short, I'm going to try and find a longer factory-ish bolt down the road. At first I thought I'd really like it being mounted where it is (closer to the driver) but when driving the steering wheel blocks the display most of the time so I'll probably try to find or build a different mount sometime later down the road.


Link to my webshots album.

Because in all my searching I couldn't find any photos of the location of the AIC plug and I know some people are visual learners, I took a few photos to help out.

Pointing at the approx. location of the AIC plug. It's under the fuse access panel on the metal support brace for the dash, and facing the driver's side kick panel/door.


AIC plug crudely circled in red

Driving to work this AM I noticed that my factory tach is slightly off compared to what the AIC is reading... at 2k rpm indicated on the tach the AIC read 1950rpm. I was only able to run it at that rpm for a short distance though, and messing around last night I noticed that the read-out on the AIC tends to creep up on a steady rpm reading (kicked my DP tuner into high idle and the AIC snuck up on it).
I also figured out last night that my "BRAKE" light in the dash is inop, so the AIC won't activate. Is there some way to fool the AIC into thinking the e-brake is set or should I look into replacing the sensor on the e-brake or bulb? For that matter, where is the bulb in the dash?

 

Nice.......good job with awesome pics. You've created another "nugget" in the FTE gold mine. Well done Chase!

EDIT: Tried to rep ya for your thoughtful contribution.....I'm still in jail!

 

This might be a dumb question, but what exactly does that thing do?

 

Waiting to see the answer to Clint's question.

 

Haha, at least I'm not the only one who is wondering what this thing does? lol

 

Here is another one, wondering too !

ON EDIT: AIC = Auxillary(?) Idle Controller

 

I'm pretty sure that you use that thing to control the idle rpm, not sure what else it does. I've only seen them on wreckers and the like. Actually I did see one on one customers truck that was a regular pickup.

 

It gives me more buttons to play with in the cab
AIC stands for auxilliary idle control, aka APCM (auxilliary powertrain control module). It gives a digital read-out of RPM and battery voltage, as well as allows you to program up to 4 different high-idle programs for jump starts, etc. You can also program it to kick into a high idle mode when the battery voltage drops too low during standard idling. There is a one-step up model that also allows for operation of a PTO if your truck is equipped with one (handshakers have them, it was a seldom used option on the slushbox). More info and much better explained here.
I got it mostly because (1) it was cheap and (2) I wanted the digital RPM and voltage read-out. After reading the manual and learning that the AIC comes pre-programmed with an alternator max output RPM, I plan to use that for jump-starting other rigs.

Short answer- it's a cool toy with buttons to push

 

Thanks ofr the explanation. Sounds like a really fun toy.

And by "cheap", you mean????? (Assuming that you'll use a definition which includes cost information)

 

So, what was the cost of this PMS modification?

 

I can only put a rough monetary value on it as I traded for it. I gave a fifth of whiskey and a used CPS for it... roughs out to around $25-30 bucks. These typically sell on Ebay for $100 plus!

 

Good Deal indeed Chase! I have seen one of these in an 04 King Ranch before and never knew what the heck it was for.