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

 

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!

 

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*.

 

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?

 

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.

 

ohh no **** 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

 

No problem! Welcome to DB by the way!

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. I know, not good. Guess we'll see what happens....

 

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.