Cold start issues, please help. - Diesel Forum

Strokin' 6.0 · 10-12-2009, 09:12 AM

In the past two weeks, our truck has started having this symptom:

When I start the truck, it has an extremely erratic idle, worse than the lope on a 454 Chevelle with a radical camshaft. Sometimes it will stall. Upon restart, it might or might not stall again. If it stays started, it takes a couple of minutes for the idle to smooth out. Then comes the next problem:

When I take the truck out on the road, it waits until the absolute last possible minute to shift to the next gear and, when it does, it shifts with a kick that could give you whiplash. It will do this through all the gears. Once it has shifted through all of the gears, however, the truck then runs fine with no more issues for the rest of the day.

There is no CEL, btw.

Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks for the replies.

Texascadillac42 · 10-12-2009, 09:49 AM

What happens if you hold the idle up, is it still rough, or does it smooth out much faster?

T_S_S · 10-12-2009, 12:49 PM

My truck used to do the same thing. It was quite embarasing trying to start it when it was cold. Take it to ford and the will do the latest flash for it. Solved my starting problem right away.

Strokin' 6.0 · 10-12-2009, 12:51 PM

If I try to floor it in park, the truck just bucks around.

I think it's an injector issue.

I'm going to plug the truck in tonight and see what it does tomorrow morning. If the truck fires right up with no issues, I'm pretty sure I'm looking at injectors.

Thank God, once again, for warranties.

fierohink · 10-12-2009, 03:34 PM

If plugging it in and warming the block solves or improves the problem, wouldn't that be pointing you towards bad gow plugs as opposed to bad injectors?

**teamroper60** · 10-12-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strokin' 6.0

In the past two weeks, our truck has started having this symptom:

When I start the truck, it has an extremely erratic idle, worse than the lope on a 454 Chevelle with a radical camshaft. Sometimes it will stall. Upon restart, it might or might not stall again. If it stays started, it takes a couple of minutes for the idle to smooth out. Then comes the next problem:

When I take the truck out on the road, it waits until the absolute last possible minute to shift to the next gear and, when it does, it shifts with a kick that could give you whiplash. It will do this through all the gears. Once it has shifted through all of the gears, however, the truck then runs fine with no more issues for the rest of the day.

There is no CEL, btw.

Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks for the replies.

Sounds kinda like stiction. When was your truck last reflashed?

dekean867 · 10-12-2009, 04:56 PM

What is the re flash called for this problem. Mine has never been re flashed and it has 46k+. It has just started doing this now that its getting colder in the morning. Will the re flash cause any drop in mpg ? After a few miles and its warmed up its fine. I was going to switch to Rotella T syn but don't want to if thats not the problem. Is there a link to the re flash's that are out?

patrickrc51 · 10-12-2009, 06:50 PM

A few months ago my 06 6.0 was missing and chattering so loud in the mornings when it was cold. I thought for sure it was a glowplug. They reflashed it and it has been awesome ever sence. The new flash warms the injectors up better than before and allows them to work during colder start ups better.
P

santi · 10-13-2009, 01:44 PM

I'm having the same problem, and now when it is in idle, the engine quiets down, and when I give the accelerator pedal a tap, it goes back to normal, could this be an injector or the high pressure oil pump?

Strokin' 6.0 · 10-13-2009, 05:58 PM

The last time my truck was flashed was when it got the new engine, in 2007, so I'm pretty sure it has the cold start flash.

patrickrc51 · 10-13-2009, 09:29 PM

You need to get it flashed. Mine is clattery when cold but WAY loud when I tap the gas...
P

fusaichi pegasus · 10-13-2009, 10:00 PM

I would want to first check the fuel pressure and quaility, If we can eliminate that, Make sure that the latest inductive heat stragedy is installed into the FICM. If you have the latest calibration installed and your batteries are in good condition, I would suspect one of the drivers or grounds in the FICM itself has failed. Your dealer will be able to monitor your FICM, L, M , And V power pids to determine if they are below the allowable specs. You may have underlying issues , However , A competent Technician should be able to set you straight with minimal problems. If you are still under base warranty of 5/100 and the failed part is a covered component, You will only be responsible for you 100 dollar deductable. Good luck....

OT · 10-13-2009, 10:52 PM

FWIW.. INDUCTIVE HEAT (F.I.) FLASH OT, but tuner on PHP said alot of FICM failure's were due to this particular flash. IIRC..PHP also said fmc (this yr) updated orig. inductive flash in hope's of eliminating premature ficm failures. No mention of orig. (f.i. buzz after shutdown)

Point being..for those that have the orig. inductive flash & also had what might be considered premature ficm failure..maybe this is the reason why? Anyone getting today..would get the updated inductive flash. What actual diff. is I dont know?

Strokin' 6.0 · 10-19-2009, 09:16 PM

It will crank but will not turn over, fire whatever, unless I plug it in. Even then, after it's been plugged in, it fires, but the truck lopes, until the engine temp warms up, then it's fine and runs normal.

I'm taking it in at the beginning of the month...till then, it can sit in my driveway.

Never had this problem with either of my Cummins.

DRJ48 · 10-19-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strokin' 6.0

It will crank but will not turn over, fire whatever, unless I plug it in. Even then, after it's been plugged in, it fires, but the truck lopes, until the engine temp warms up, then it's fine and runs normal.

Are you still on the original batteries? If so, I would have them checked. Low voltage can cause all of the problems as you have explained them as well as cause harm to the FICM over time.