Within the last week my truck has developed a slight miss and the idle jumps a little. I really can't contribute it to anything, the only thing that has changed within the last week is the weather. Went from 40's to 80's, but I doubt that would cause an issue.

My SES has been on since February because of the glowplug #5. I haven't had time to check and make sure it is getting power I pulled code P0675.

Today at lunch I hooked up the code reader to see if there were any other codes. In addition to the glow plug issue I got P1280, which is ICP out of range-low.

Can someone explain to me what the ICP does, where it can be found and how do I diagnose the issue?

Any help would be great. By the way truck is an 03 Excursion.

Thanks

 

Do you have a chip or tuner on your Ex? If so, the P1280 is common. If not, you may have something going on.

The ICP stands for Injection Control Pressure. Basically the injectors fire using high oil pressure that can range from 500psi at idle to close to 3000 psi at WOT. These engines have a high pressure oil pump (HPOP) that sits directly underneath the fuel bowl in the engine valley. This pump takes engine oil, pressurizes it, and sends it to the oil rails and to the injectors.

Having the P1280 means that the PCM is reading lower oil pressure at the rails than what is commanded in the programming for a particular engine load. It's common if you have a chip or tuner, since the demands for fueling and oil pressure in higher horsepower tunes typically are more than what the HPOP can physically supply. If you have a chip or programmer and get this code, it's not hurting the engine or anything. It just means you won't get the full power capacity that the chip is calling for.

However, if the truck is stock and you are getting this code, it could indicate a weak HPOP, a bad ICP sensor itself (or associated wiring), or a bad IPR (Injector Pressure Regulator). The way to find out for sure would be to hook the truck up to a diagnostic scanner and watch ICP pressures, duty cycle, and voltage to determine the issue.

 

Pocket,

Is the diagnostic scanner Ford/7.3L specific? I really don't have the funds right not to purchase a scanner or similar tool. I probably can find someone locally that has a diagnostic scanner.

Is there anything I can do on my own to trouble shoot this?

I have a chip that I installed about a year ago, but to be quite honesrt I disn't notice a difference in performance. It was a coworkers and he got a tuner and gave it to me. The SES light came on within the last month or so, but I thought it was due to the glowplug #5 issue. When I hooked up the code reader on Friday both codes showed up. Would code P1280 cause the SES light to come on? Tje truck seems to run normal other than the slight miss/idle fluctuation that I am having. Sometimes when I apply the brakes I will get a slight surge (idle increases).

Last question, I am running the DELO 400LE oil, which only has about 4,000 miles since last oil change. I doubt the oil needs changed, but would this cause the ICP issue?

 

The P1280 code WILL set the CEL when it's happening, then cycle off after a couple minutes. On a tuned truck, the normal sequence is a WOT run --> near the top end, CEL comes on --> come back down to "normal" driving --> CEL off after a 2 mins or so. However, the truck will store codes, so I'd clear them and go for a "normal" test drive (no WOT runs) and see if it comes back. If it does, read the codes again.

For the record, I always got P1211 -- "ICP uncontrollable", so you may have something else going on, as Curtis described.

 

Pretty much what you said, find someone locally that has a PSD compatible scanner. Generic OBD-II readers don't work on our trucks. You'll have to make sure it's something that can read Ford specific codes.

The idle miss/fluctuation is what makes me think you have something going on. This is why a scanner is needed to see what your actual oil pressure and duty cycle of the IPR is.

Yes, oil can cause running issues. However, with 4,000 miles on Delo, as long as the oil level is still good, I doubt that's causing a problem.

 

Thanks,

I have the superchips scanner that I borrowed from a buddy that I have been reading the codes with. Is this scanner considered generic or does it have the capability to monitor oil pressure?

Jason

 

The Superchips can only read codes. It cannot monitor live data. So it will work to pull codes with the extended crank test I gave you, but it will not have the ability to watch ICP pressures and IPR duty cycle.

 

I located the ICP sensor this evening and disconnected it. Is it supposed to have oil in the area where the plug connects?

I also noticed that it appears to have been hit y something in the past as it is bent and somewhat expanded where the plastic molds to the metal. I would have posted a pic, but it got dark and wouldn't take very well.

Can a faulty ICP sensor cause the idle to jump?

 

Well I removed the chip lastnight and disconnected the ICP sensor and cleaned the plug. As of this evening the CEL light has not come back on and code P1280 has not come back, but its too early to tell. I drove it about 20 miles today taking it easy and getting on it at times and it ran fine. The still jumps around though, which bothers me.

The scanner is reading one code P0603, I need to research this code now. It showed up after disconnecting the batteries and unplugging the PCM to remove the chip.

Jason

 

The PO603 is another code assosiated with the presence of a chip, (enternal kam error). I get that too along with the PO1211. Beings you took the chip out, not sure if you'll still get a P0603 code but the guys will tell you more. There's another member here Jason HKusp thats having the same issues as you. Spittering and sputtering and the check engine lights eluminates then it goes away, were trying to figure it out also.

 

Its strange that a code associated with a chip shows up when the chip was removed.

I am not sure about the slight miss issue. It mainly does it at lower RPM's and is noticable when idling. The RPM's will slightly rise then go back to normal. It will also miss sometimes when coming to a stop or shifting from drive/reverse to park.

This has got me baffled.

 

Don't worry about the P0603. It triggered after you reconnected the batteries.

Oil around the ICP sensor means its failing, or will eventually fail. The old style ICP sensors were prone to leaking and failing. Ford updated the ICP sensors, and the new style is more reliable.

Did you notice any difference in how the truck ran with the ICP unplugged?

 

I actually didn't start the engine with it unplugged. I wasn't sure if it was ok to do that. I will have to try that tomorrow and see if it makes a difference. I will have to pick up a new sensor this week. Should I buy from Ford or International, do you happen to know the updated Part #?

Also could a failing sensor cause the idle/miss issue?

 

Yes a bad sensor could be the cause of your problem. Before buying a new sensor, unplug it and then start the engine. If the truck runs better with it unplugged, then it's definitely a bad ICP sensor. If it runs the same, then most likely something else is wrong.

 

Well I unplugged the sensor before leaving work this evening and drove home without a miss or idle fluctuation. The first part of my drive about 6-8 miles was freeway, which I got on it a few times. The last few miles was stop and go traffic, it idled like it use to.

I will be ordering the new sensor ASAP.

Pocket - Is there a new part# fr the refined snesor? I don't want to buy the old sensor by mistake.

Jason