Fuel Injector Control Module (FICM)

[21xdbullet]

I just paid $1058.00 for a FICM and programing.
I noticed that when I put my meater on the battery it don't start charging right away.
it takes a few seconds after the truck starts.
but then it goes up to 13.6 v. could my altanator be going bad and if so would that have shown up when they checked the FICM

[69cj]

Glow plugs pull current for a minute or two and then the voltage will climb. 13.6 to 14.5 is normal.

[DupuyDog]

Originally Posted by rock_doctor

...although, the dealer will insist on the $100 anyway like mine did... A bad FICM seems to generally follow a bad set of batteries or a bad alternator. Thing is way to fragile...

I just replaced my alternator with a NAPA lifetime guaranteed unit, 3 months later, it went out again and was replaced last week, under the parts warranty. Now the truck is in the shop getting the FICM replaced. Is there any way to prove the alternator caused the outage? Any chance of getting NAPA to pay the FICM bill?

[Strokin' 6.0]

FWIW, and this is direct from my stealership, there are NO new FICMs, they are all reman'd units....some might just look newer than others.

International will not sell you a FICM, if they know you're buying it for a Ford...at least the International shop here in town won't.

[dikkstarr]

Originally Posted by Strokin' 6.0

FWIW, and this is direct from my stealership, there are NO new FICMs, they are all reman'd units....some might just look newer than others.

International will not sell you a FICM, if they know you're buying it for a Ford...at least the International shop here in town won't.

Why such a swing in prices then? Mine cost me 1400, and the dealer said it was a new one, my invoice didnt say reman FICM. A reman is new internals with the old shell or casing, like trannies or alternators?

I wonder what part of it breaks and what they do to fix it? So it will just break the same way again in the future? Whatever goes bad inside them.

[bulletbob]

Same here DK...I got hosed for $1400 last month for a FICM. $700-$900 sounds like a steal compared to what we paid.

[Strokin' 6.0]

Originally Posted by dikkstarr

Why such a swing in prices then? Mine cost me 1400, and the dealer said it was a new one, my invoice didnt say reman FICM. A reman is new internals with the old shell or casing, like trannies or alternators?

I wonder what part of it breaks and what they do to fix it? So it will just break the same way again in the future? Whatever goes bad inside them.

I was told that the VIN determines the price....crock of crap. I think the stealerships charge what they think they can get away with.

My indy mech tells me that heat is the killer of FICMs, which makes sense, if you think about where it's located. Engine heat, turbo heat and coolant heat are a recipe for disaster. It's not if your FICM is going to give up the ghost, it's when. If there are circuit boards in the FICM, which I'm pretty sure there are, then it's a sure thing that the heat will crystaline the solder, fry a diode, etc.

I personally would love to find a new place to mount the damned thing, but the biggest problem I see with that is getting a harness extension. The next viable solution is to duct cold air straight to the FICM.

[bismic]

Here is an interesting post on testing your FICM.

http://*****************.com/forums/######.php?t=43705

In place of the *'s, enter as one word "powerstroke nation" (without the quotes).
Also, in place of the #'s, enter "showthread".

SWAMP also says he can repair them cheaper than the replacement cost ($350):

Swamp's Diesel Performance

[F250crazy]

Link not working for me.

[fxdwgi]

Even if you buy one off of Ebay or somewhere else, you still have to have a PMI (Programmable Module Installation) done at the dealer. It consists of remove your program off your old FICM and installing it on your new one. If that doesn't work then the dealer needs to load as-built data from Ford into the module, if it will take it.

A new FICM comes without a program in it.

Also, heat is not the enemy of the FICM, unstable input voltage is (bad battery, alternator, jump starting a crane etc. You get the idea)

[lubbockguy1979]

swamps diesel. the original post was from powerstroke nation. it gives a great post on diagnotics for a bad ficm. and heat is not the main killer. it is the heat flash that would pump out 48 volts for up to 2or 3 minutes that caused the boards to overheat since they were designed for short bursts not long ones. swamps also offers a upgrade to up the voltage to 58 volts which is a popular mod on the older 7.3 idms that helps with starting and idling. very good post that all should read.

[Strokin' 6.0]

Originally Posted by fxdwgi

...Also, heat is not the enemy of the FICM, unstable input voltage is (bad battery, alternator, jump starting a crane etc. You get the idea)

While I agree with you about unstable input voltage, I respectfully disagree with you about heat. Heat will crystaline and crack solder....crack the solder and you get bad or no electrical connection. A good example of this is the UniVolt converter in an Airstream travel trailer (ask me how I know), and there is less heat generated by the UniVolt than there is by the turbo, degas bottle and engine of a 6.0.

The heat that comes from the area where the FICM is located will eventually be responsible for or help cause failure. No electrical component can survive that much heat for thousands or tens of thousands of miles, whether it be constant-driven or not.

I submit that the two (electrical and heat) are both culprits.

on edit: I read the Swamps article, Lubbock...good read. The one question I had was why bump up to 58v...thanks for the answer.

By the way, I never said it was the main reason, just one, as explained to me by my mech who's been doing this for a few decades.

[rcgreg]

SWAMP also says he can repair them cheaper than the replacement cost ($350):


I looked at that site and could not find any info on FICM repair - where should I be looking?

[lubbockguy1979]

Email him most likely. He said he offers rebuilding but it is like a week turn around time.

[Strokin' 6.0]

Wouldn't bumping the FICM up to 58v fry it quicker?