My 04 "X" towing a 32 foot trailer in the hot desert up steep grades. Never seem to make it all the way. Have a Banks Econo-Minder controller with the IQ display.

Last summer (2012) in the heat of the Arizona day going up a steep grade it just powered down and finally coasted to a stop. Towed to Payson and let it cool down.
Started up and got about 30 miles, hit some ribs in the road (bumps to give warning) and it dies dead. Started up and got about 50 feet and hit the next bumps, again dead and would not crank. Towed again. At the shop they removed the Banks and it ran fine. Sent the unit to Banks and they found no problems but replaced the IQ display.

Have made several trips w/o the trailer, no problem. Towed the trailer to Mexico in cool weather on flat ground, no problem.

Yesterday headed for the Arizona high country in hot weather and got to the first steep climb hit some road bumps and it just died while climbing in 3rd gear, would not crank again. Removed the Banks set up back to stock and tried to restart. Would not crank, Thief security alarm blinking, Had it towed to Sunflower where I spent the rest of the day working the problem.

Called Ford, they said to bring it to a dealer to have the keys reprogramed (yeah right!). Called Banks and they said check fuse #22 ECM power. That is where Banks gets power to the control unit. It was blown. Replaced fuse and reinstalled the Banks and it started up just fine.

Is it a Banks problem or a Ford bug?

I think on the first problem it was over heating, The second problem that night was likely the blown fuse just like yesterday. Need to contact Banks to fine why it does that.

Any answers or suggestions from you Pro's?

Thanks, JJ

 

Sounds like engine wire harness chafing issue. Start at the ECM and trace the harness, looking for broken/burnt/melted wires. Go over the entire harness. A small mirror may help.