Help with crappy and tune and cruise control (related?)
 

Hey all I have a 98 E350 7.3 (2/98 actually). I've had this thing for a few years and I know by how it runs it's definitely been chipped a bit. I see a faded diablosport sticker on the rear window. The shifting is obvious too...anything over 3/4 pedal it holds the torque convertor locked. Black smokes a bit when stomped etc. The check engine light will come on most of the time if I hold it to the floor long, which I suspect is the hpop trying to keep up.

Here are my questions. First, the tune. I don't know what exists, but I wish I could do more with this tune myself (I have an import shop that builds turbocharged street cars-real shit not rice guys). I don't understand why it sometimes will lock the torque convertor in second but it's so unpredictable (but nice when it does). I also don't like how long it unlocks the convertor on the 3-4 shift and stresses the converter clutch locking back up in fourth. If the fourth gear clutches will hold it the thing should shift locked, or unlock more briefly to prevent rpm flare up so bad. It feels like it slightly short shifts the engine when it's on the floor. I don't know, but I'm suspicious the tune may be a generic one for a truck and the van has the bigger turbine side with no wastegate and therefore maybe breath better up high. The big problem is, either the timing is too advanced or the injection pressure must be set at a million psi because it idles louder then any 7.3 I think I've ever heard. Are diablosport tunes kinda the bottom of the barrel? I need some help here because the tune needs to go. The idle is so loud it's embarrassing getting the weird looks all the time. I'm interested in the hydra chip, but would like one to go to quiet idle every time I come to a stop and ramp up when I'm moving again without having to change modes.

Next, I'm about to go WW3 with my cruise control. I got the thing with no tilt wheel and no cruise, which is bad and no bueno. I changed the column so I didn't feel like I was at the helm of the queen marry driving. The cruise control was a fail when I first hooked it up (I've hunted the threads). Finally I got fed up and ran new wires from the clock spring straight to the pins on the ecu and have the third one for the horn. Pin 40 to the ecu is supposed to be a ground from what I understand for the horn circuit. I'm good with wiring and checked everything over many times and feel confident that i got it right. Is it possible that my pcm has to be made for cruise and/or that the crappy tune has knocked it out from working? Funny thing now is that with it hooked up correctly the horn doesn't work. I would have to disconnect the clock spring wire going to pcm (ecm whatever) pin 40 and connect it to ground for now to get my horn back. Very frustrating. I drive on trips a lot hauling and would about give my left nut for the cruise to work.

Any takers on this? Do I need to include pics or anything? I'm a little stuck here...

since you have a shop you should be able to hook up and get some data for the diag! did this thing originally have cruise?

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to get the cruise to work on a non cruise vehicle you must jumper the cruise deactivation switch wiring that is near the brake master cylinder

It's an auto shop I don't have a scanner that can get in, and I'm not sure what you mean I would scan (The programming I don't like? The cruise? For what?). No it did not originally have cruise, but I did jump the switch under the hood. There are a couple guides on here about how to add cruise to a diesel, and I followed the directions and the schematics perfectly. It seems weird to me the horn won't even work now.

I aint got a clue for you on the electrical part of anything. But you are correct with the way the truck is acting signals that it has tuning or a chip. The hydra is awesome, get it. And its not a big deal to switch between tunes, especially on a chip like the hydra. To quiet your idle, look into the hutch mod, fuel system upgrade whether that be a fuel rail crossover or full regulated return, as well as HPO Rail crossover. Old injectors also start getting loud when they are tired.

Ok I'll look into the hutch mod. Why would a fuel system upgrade make it quieter? Thanks for the reply I really appreciate advice on here. Please understand everyone I like the way diesel engines sound and I'm not prissy...mine doesn't sound normal and I'm pretty sure it's the tune. I don't think anything is wrong engine wise etc. because it's been this way for a long time and runs great.