Well I finally recieved my Autoenginuity tester and got all the software installed on my laptop. Here is an update on my no start situation since the original thread was hijacked! I was having very small rough cold starts to begin with for about 2 weeks. would just kinda run a little rough until it warmed up. I killed both batteries while camping (left the key on) and purchased 2 brand new batteries. Still had rough start ups in the am, but nothing too bad. Then about a week later, I cranked it to come home from work. It fired, and ran for about 3 seconds shaking like mad and blowing black smoke, then shut down to a no start situation.

I checked the ficm voltage and it showed low per ficm test thread. I removed ficm, and had all 16 points resoldered by a qualified individual. Reinstalled ficm, and still no start.

I ordered AE software and here are the codes that were in the truck on the first scan. P2285 ICP sensor circuit low, P0261 Cylinder 1 circuit low, P0200 injector circuit, and a p2552. I have cleared all the codes, and tried to restart the vehicle. It will not fire, but did not throw any new codes.

I did the Auto test KOEO, and it fails about 10 - 15 seconds into the scan with these 2 codes. U0105 lost communication with ficm, and U0306 Software incaompatibility with ficm.

There truck was running fine before all of this, and has a fairly old program on it. I still have the program that buzzes for 30 secs after you turn the key off. Truck is completely stock.

Any help on what to test with the AE program or live monitoring would be appreciated. Meanwhile, I will try to learn as much as I can about using this scanner to diagnose the problem. Much appreciation for all those that have already helped me with what to look for.

 

Unless you WATCHED said qualified individual re-solder the joints, it's entirely possible that they swapped your FICM for a good, resoldered one. The U0306 and U0105 would seem to indicate that. Unless they used an arc welder to do the solder job, I don't THINK a mere resolder would harm the programming.

-blaine

 

I took the power board out, and took it to a local electronics shop that fixes tv's and such. The soldering iron I had was not high enough wattage to heat the joints fast enough. They had no idea what the part even was. I am quite sure they would not have spare FICM laying around a TV shop.

I only took them the power board, not the other half which I am assuming has all the programming.

Could it be that I did not get the three plugs all the way seated into the bottom of the ficm? They were hard to seat in, and a little difficult to see, so maybe I need to pull those plugs and reinsert them?

Did I read somewhere there is supposed to be a ground attachment on the back of the ficm going to the manifold or somthing? I did not see anything like that when I put it back on.

Thank you for the idea Frankenbiker. All input is appreciated. I am lost without my Powerstroke!

 

The three plugs would be a good start. If those are the wiring harness connectors, there's some anecdotal evidence that they are EXCESSIVELY difficult to get seated properly.

-blaine

 

Ok I pulled the FICM out again, an all the connectors seemed pretty well seated. I pulled it completely out and reinstalled all except for the 4 bolts / nuts holding it on. Did a rescan with the KOEO test and got the same codes. Could it be the FICM is just gone or can they lose programming? Anyone ever had these issues when a FICM was bad?

Why does it have to get down to 18 degrees in Florida, the day I get my scanner!

 

Hey... since it is a known fault that the FICM was failing because of solder joints overheating....

Would it be an idea to repair (after taking old solder off with a suction bulb) with silver solder?

More expensive, but you are using so little it may be worth it.

 

Here is a quick and easy test to eliminate a possible culprit. Since you lost communication with the FICM, it could be a PCM power issue. Look in your owners manual and locate the PCM power relay located inthe power panle under the steering cloumn. On my X it is relay # 302. Now swap it with another similar relay and see what happens and what codes you get, if any.

DSMMH

 

Even before doing that.... depower the vehicle by disconnecting the batteries, turn headlights on for 10 min.

Then reconnect.

Can be a PCM gremlin.

 

Will give both of those a shot now, then I have to go get myself something to eat. Im starving myself to death working on this truck! Having a broke truck is a great diet plan. Loose weight from stress, and lose weight from long hours with no food!

 

Well I have ruled out the pcm power relay. I switched it with the tow relay which is the same part number. Same codes that says lost connection to pcm. I did do a live monitor when I was cranking on it, and the icp sensor was saying just under 1600 psi. I assume that means my fuel pressure is up to snuff. My rpms were about 150 while cranking. I think I have to have 100rpm in order to fire. Hmm its looking more and more like a bad ficm to me. I wish someone could verify the codes U0105 and U0306 while doing a KOEO test.

 

ICP at 1600 psi is oil pressure not fuel pressure. Your HPOP system seems to be working properly.

 

Someone was telling me I need atleast 500 psi on something or the injectors would not fire. I thought it was the ICP sensor but can't remember. I did not see anything for fuel pressure test but there are a lot of options available. I will have to do some more digging tommorow. the temps are dropping fast now so I will get cleaned up and head inside for the night.

Thanks for clearing up the ICP readings for me. Atleast maybe I can rule out the HPOP since I have heard that is rather pricey as well.

 

You need 500 psi of OIL pressure from the HPOP for the injectors to fire. There is nothing to test from fuel pressure because the truck/computer dosen't monitor fuel pressure. You have to add a guage and sending unit to monitor fuel pressure.

 

The part of the FICM electronics where the programming is kept might be static sensitive and could be that the programming got wiped out accidentaly.

 

# U0306 Software Incompatibility with Fuel Injector Control Module - huh.. well here's something that may help.. I was told that you cannot run the KOEO test if the reader has a stored code. This is direct form Autoenginuity because I was having the same issue, that it wouldn't do the test and failed. So, a quick question, do you have the laptop your using plugged into household current not being generated by the truck through an inverter ? Because using the onboard power through an inverter creates a ground loop; doubt it has anything to do with it but always worth checking the basics. Are both of your batteries fully charged and connected and terminals clean ?

Have you re-seated that FICM to make sure it's properly connected ? And while you are at it, if you have the ability to inspect the prongs/pins, make sure they are all still straight and going where they are supposed to.

Finally, that U0306 apparently won't make it not run, I can't say for sure but from some googling of it, it's common problem with a tuner but you're not running one right ?

My suspicion is still a bad FICM, I don't agree with throwing parts at anything BUT, FICM's are problematic so if it were me, I would buy another one that you know for sure is guaranteed to work if only as a spare. You could then plug it in and know if that's the problem. If not, you have a spare. Now of course I know not everyone can afford that so that's a problem for sure I don't have an answer to. The question is, why is there a program incompatibility, that's weird since it's the same FICM. The thing is, the PCM and the FICM do NOT need to be programmed together to work, for sure no question about this. The PCM does however run the FICM, so it needs to be functioning but you've checked the power to it so you say it's good.

Please review the 6.0 FICM guide I emailed you, at the end it shows the U0306, it basically says the FICM may need to be reprogrammed. I suspect that maybe once you removed the power supply side to have it repaired, the memory on the other side died. This could be because the Caps which store some of the electricity is on the power supply side and maybe there's not enough storage on the circuit side to hold it for too long, the lenght of time or even whether I am write is debatable, I am just guessing. The problem is that I think you don't have the programming still in the FICM, so you really need someone on here who has an extra to lend you one or you'll have to bite the bullet and buy one. Again as said before check with Bill @ powerhungry ( he's sent me mine, can't wait to get it ) or check with Jonathan over at Swamps diesel for a FICM. Bill usually has some units in stock but if he runs out, Swamps can supply one to you and then send it to Powerhungry for programming. Now that said, maybe Swamps has some preprogrammed to factory specs, I don't know. The other option is to maybe send your FICM to Bill and Powerhungry and ask him to reprogram it for you, if he can't because it's broken, you'll have your answer, if he can', for about $150 you'll have a better FICM back in your hands with better performance and fuel economy,, Can't beat that really, the only draw back is shipping time but really, that should only take a few days because he's about 24hr turnaround..

Hope it helps. Let us know if you find anything else out.. Please do post a response to this one question, is the FICM main voltage showing up and how much ? Again , check the pins to make sure you didn't bend one. The first connector nearest the rad support ( front ) is the one that coms to the PCM and is where the power comes in and out. The next two run to each respective bank of cylinders. READ that guide I sent you, it may help.

Cheers man. I hope you work this out but don't give up, the AE with some help from the guys on here will get you through, but not without patience and elbowgrease. In the end, you'll know a ton about your truck so the next time stuff goes wrong, your learning curve is behind you and it will be easier to fix.