I think I may have a FICM going bad. Quick run down. 12 months ago truck went to ford for a cel, vanes in turbo where sticking, they took off and cleaned. Now a couple months ago I had the truck surge forward on me after a cold start up going down the driveway, a month ago went on a 1200 mile transport and the truck surge a couple times after a cold startup after just getting on the road. I thought these two times it surged was bad fuel as I put a heavy dose of Diesel Kleen both times and it did not do it again.
Now the cel is on took it to ford only to find out it is out of warrenty. They just did a quick plug in and told me it said (low turbo pressure) And they have no idea what it may be.
I have done alot of research on here and have thought about pulling the turbo and cleaning it again ( maybe they did not clean it real good 12 months ago)
Then I came across a write up on testing the FICM. So I did the test.
cycling the key on the voltage came right up to 48.5
key off the voltage slowly falls.
cycle the key back on voltage comes right back up to 48.5
Then start the truck and the voltage falls to 28.5 while the truck is running.
Does this mean it may be the FICM going bad giving me the low turbo pressure that the dealer told me about?
Thanks

 

You have a FICM issue,sort it out before trying to diagnose the low boost and yes it could be related.

 

With the voltage readings I had would it be a good candidate for me to pull and take apart and try the repair with the re-solder steps and re-install and see if it improves with the voltage readings? Or send it in for repair to a place like CiruitBoardMedics.com
Thanks

 

Anybody here ever sent there FICM in to get it repaired? If so who did you have do?

 

If I were you, I would buy a Ford factory reman, and keep the old one lying around... it can be sold on ebay for $300.

 

you tank take it any that can solder. t.v repair shop, place that fixes video games etc..

 

Thanks Cheezit, I think Tom evening I'm going to pull it and fix it myself with my solding gun, I'm pretty good mechanic wise. So I hope this works and the voltage comes up and the cel does not come back.
My Turbo still reads good psi when you get on it, do these computers throw a cel for a very small difference in where the psi should be?

 

it will toss a code when over 30 psi and will go in to derate to stop you form blowing it up

 

I sent mine to Swamps Diesel in Tenn. They did a great Job!

 

If you use swamps... be concerned that:

a) they are substituting parts (capacitors) that have a lower temperature rating than factory

b) if they sell you a reman, it may have been used as an "overvoltage" device ---- and may have issues.

IMHO, the safest bet is Ford factory remans,

too many hobbyists have modded their FICMs and then tried to pawn off the failed experiment on eBay.

Next best bet --- off a wreck that is a factory original.

 

I sort of have the same issue with mine (2005 F-350 6.0) but I have a no start. I get 48 48 20ish after 3 secs of cranking just as it starts to fire. I was thinking of taking mine to a shop that solders computer motherboards. I posted the same question on where to take it but got no response. I have never soldered and don't want to screw it up.

 

Computer repair shop is fine -- just show them the detailed instructions on this site.

 

Sorry Gearloose, but there is no way in H*** I'm going to give anymore of my money to ford for a **** poor design and location of there FICM unless I have to.
I'm going to pull it this evening and check it out myself and pull out the solding gun. If that does not work then maybe a call to the junk yard will be in order. Will post back with results

 

Good luck, I would think that you will be sucessful.

(btw - the issues w/ the FICM most likely aren't a Ford design issue, but instead a quality control issue. I believe that the location of it was to protect it from vibration, heat, and moisture - well as much as possible and not require the cost of an extra long cable.)

 

Thanks bismic, I believe I can fix it as long as it is just a solding issue problem. I'm going to really go over it carefully to see what I can see first before plugging in the soldering gun.
If Fords thought was to put this device in a place with the least vibration, heat and moisture, then the engineer that thought the best place would be to mount it to the Motor for the least vibration is nuts, and to sandwich it inbetween the the hot radiator overflow and the hot motor would not be my first choice for the coolest spot under the hood. Just my 2 cents. I still love my truck, just a little scared of the reliability of it now that it has over 62000 miles on it and out of warranty.