04 with no power at cold starts - Diesel Forum

jmccall · 09-06-2009, 10:04 AM

I have an 04 that on cold starts runs rough if you dont let it sit and warm up for about 5 min. Starts easy, sounds good, but has no power if you pull onto the street for a few miles. It will blow black smoke it you step down on it. After a few miles it runs fine and if you plug it in overnight it will be fine. Im looking for some help on where to start. 120,000 miles and stock.

InetDev · 09-06-2009, 04:17 PM

Check the FICM voltage to ensure it does not drop below 48v after starting. If so, you would need to get a reman FICM (about $560 + reflash). Had a similar problem, that was it.

Got Diesel? · 09-06-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmccall

I have an 04 that on cold starts runs rough if you dont let it sit and warm up for about 5 min. Starts easy, sounds good, but has no power if you pull onto the street for a few miles. It will blow black smoke it you step down on it. After a few miles it runs fine and if you plug it in overnight it will be fine. Im looking for some help on where to start. 120,000 miles and stock.

As far as I understand (and from personal experience), your truck is looking for the transmission to "warm" up.

It would take a mile or two for my 04' truck to reach full power and the transision appeared to correlate with the movement of the tranny gauge. Maybe your truck is telling you not to floor it, right after you start it up??

EDIT: I did have a Banks 6 gun on my truck, maybe that made the difference??

mountaintech · 09-06-2009, 09:38 PM

I have the exact same problem, they told me it was the EGR valve. I took it appart to clean it, made sure the valve was working freely. No change this morning. Sorry where is the FICM and how do I check it. Anything else I can check would be great. If I unplug the EGR valve will it stay open or closed?

InetDev · 09-07-2009, 03:22 PM

The FICM is the large silver colored aluminum box behind and under the coolant degas bottle on the driver's side.

F250crazy · 09-07-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks to all who can help. As you can see I am a newbie to the site. I am also a newbie to owning a diesel. Where is the best place to purchase my filters for my 03 F250? Thanks.

mountaintech · 09-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the info InetDev.
If the problem is a faulty FICM would'nt the engine run rough all the time? Mine clears up after 5 OR 6 miles then it runs great. If I let it sit for 6 to 8 hours the problem starts up again. I will try plugging it in tonight to see if anything changes. It got a reflash in '05 should I take it in and get them to di another one?

InetDev · 09-07-2009, 11:11 PM

I got mine reflashed the week before testing the FICM, didn't really help. Engine ran rough until the fuel warmed up. The FICM needs to provide the injectors with steady 48volts. Mine dropped soon after starting when tested using the IDS scanner at the local shop. After replacing the FICM, seems to run fine.

The latest reflash is an "inductive heat flash" from what I remember. Can't recall the TSB off hand.

jmccall · 09-09-2009, 09:56 PM

What I Am Concerned About Is That I Have Had It For 2 Years And This Is Something That Just Started. A Ford Tech Told Me That A Reflash Should Take Care Of The Problem. Is This A Good Place To Start? Its Never Been Done. Josh

powerdiver · 09-10-2009, 03:06 AM

I had something like what you talk about once, it was very cold when I got off the night shift. I cranked my truck let it idle for a couple of minutes left the parking lot tried to get up to speed little to no power almost didnt make it up hill. About 8miles down the road I noticed that I had no boost from the turbo at all shut the engine off for about 15 minutes when i cranked it this time the turbo spun right up. I changed my oil back to Shell Rotela 15w-40 havent had problem again.