Well thanks Mike.
I bought new FICM from a local parts place, $201 out the door.
I'm hoping to install it this morning, the truck is outside and it's like 6* out, this will be fun.
I'll try and find a multi-meter, thanks for the vocab word.
Guess we'll see what happens. So, if this does not fix it.....what next? ( I have some ideas from threads I've read) I may have to take you up on the call option, thanks for the offer.

Within the hour I should have it in....wish me luck.

 

Let us know how you make out. Did you have to give them the old one back? I'm curious to see what the heck you actually got for $200... a new FICM from Ferd is like $900 and change. Even the 1/2 shells are like $400.

If it works, and your other one is indeed bad, let me know I'd buy it from you.

 

Well, it worked!
Put "new" FICM in (what a pain to clip back in) hooked the coolant line back together and figured I'd try and start it. 6* out, been sitting for 5 days and no plug in available. Turned key, waited past the glow plug light shutting off and turned the key and almost immediately it fired up . Went to truck this morning early, before 6 am just to see what it would do......one time- fired up, sweet.

Thanks for the assistance. I've enjoyed this little tech experience, DB has been quite helpful.

 

Next time you start it in the cold, don't go off of the wait to start light. One reason is the glow plugs stay on longer than the light anyways, they're independent of each other. I would suggest listening for the injectors to buzz. When you turn the key you should hear them slowly creep up and buzz faster and faster. When it's really cold, I let the injectors do two full buzz cycles and then start, makes the idle really smooth when it fires up too. Though, sounds like yours is doing just great anyways!

 

Glad you got it going, but can you please tell us where you got one for $201, that is a great deal.. thanks

 

Bob, it's literally just the board, not the whole FICM, not even a 1/2 shell, just the board itself. My guess is it's the Dorman unit everyone is selling. I think he could of got a 1/2 shell cheaper through international.

 

Yeah, but even if it is readily available it is nice to know that if someone is stuck somewhere they can get their truck running again without being raped by a dealer.

 

Agreed! The dealer should be the last option for all of them. You can probably pay for a tow home, pay to have your FICM repaired, and still be ahead of the dealer cost on a FICM.

 

Bob & Mike,

Correct Mike; it's the Dorman ficm board only.
Local parts store had it. I figured I'd take the chance, not knowing what I was getting in to.
Truck is operating well, actually it acts a lot better with start ups. Fires really quick.

Now what to do with my 03 F250 6.0 that has issues? Super bad fuel usage, blows white smoke when it has a loss of power thing go on with it. I've depleted a ton of cash having it worked on for it to be doing the same thing.
Whats with getting rid of the EGR? Is that something that a MAJOR non-tech can do? Seems like everyone is doing that...

I'm sure that I'm way over my head. What a Pain.

Thanks in advance.

 

On the 03, have you ever pulled and cleaned the EGR? Is it even still there? More info about the truck and mods on it would help. The EGR is a good place to start, and on the 03/04 trucks the ICP sensor and pig tail should be replaced if it hasn't been, always an issue on those trucks.