06 F-450 6.0 Cranks, but wont start
 

I'm new here and NOT even close to being a mechanic!!

06 F-450 crew-cab 6.0
For about two weeks, hard to start. It would crank forever and not start, then would finally start. The rest of the day, no problem starting. The problem seemed to get worse and then finally........cranks like crazy, but would not start at all. Not a problem I need to have. I need this truck to work and it's got a huge load on (it's a dump truck).

I changed both fuel filters. Fuel is moving...upper one filled up again and the upper oil filter is full.

Found DieselBombers and followed some threads......Lead to believe it's the FICM.

So.....I took it out.

How much trouble have I just started?

Signed, Pretend Tech :w2:

Why did you remove it? Planning on doing the repair? I would test it first and verify that it's in fact the FICM. The test procedure is at the top of the 6.0 page bud. Usually I recommend having the batteries load tested first, then test the FICM. Report back here with the voltages. It needs to be tested ON the truck though...

take it easy and try letting it turn over for like 5 seconds and turn the key off and do it again and keep doing it until it starts cycle it my friend haha! :pca1:

Shouldn't have to do that if it's working properly. I cycle my key twice, letting the injectors run their entire buzz cycle, then crank it and it fires up just fine, even when not plugged in and approaching 0*. :c:

yea your right but i was just trying to find a simple solution for this guy before he rips his head out haha but cycle em twice normally huh? i never tried that on cold mornings maybe i will....i havent had any problems so far and it was 9* this morning and i dont have anywhere to plug mines in....regardless its now at my buddies shop because i have no cruise control and passanger airbag light is on but horn still works so idk 6Leaker problems haha any idea?:argh:

Well the first thing to understand is the glow plugs are independent of the "wait to start" light on the dash. So even though the light has gone out, does not mean the glow plugs have. You can always point the truck close to a building or something and turn the headlights on, watch for them to get brighter, that's when the glow plugs go off.

My cycle twice routine has more to do with the spool valves in the injectors than the glow plugs. If you turn your key and are waiting for the truck to start, listen closely and you'll hear the injectors buzzing under the hood. On a really cold morning (oil is nice and thick!) you'll hear them start out slow and slowly build momentum. I let them run until they stop buzzing. I cycle the key again and let the injectors run again a full cycle. So after that when I actually start it, it starts a lot smoother since the injectors have sort of "warmed" up in a sense. Try it next time. :c:

ohh no shit haha I kno what ur talking about with the injectors buzzin i deff hear that every morning i will try that when its outa the shop thanks man:c:

No problem! Welcome to DB by the way! :c:

Arborcareman, let us know how you make out with yours!

Mdub707-- why did i take it out........well, after following a bunch of threads on DB it seemed to be leaning towards the FICM, so.....
I don't have a test "thing" so again, the impulsive side of me took over. :nope: I know, not good. Guess we'll see what happens....:scare2:

If you feel like mailing it to me I can test it for you, or walk you through the process of testing it on your truck. A "test thing" aka... a multi-meter... can be had for under $10. I can even tell you how to use it over the phone, very simple.

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. :argh:

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.:c:

Well, it worked! :jump:
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 :tu:. 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. :c:

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. :humm:

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...:humm:

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.