Another Long Start Thread

[BDSford03]

I have spent hours looking at old threads and decided I still need to post a new one.

Symptom: occasional/random long starts. Truck takes a while to start 10secs ish randomly. Not necessary when its cold. Like this morning it was 34 and the truck was in a insulated attached garage. This evening it was outside all day on campus and started just fine. It has happened maybe 4 or 5 times in the last 30 days or so....

Specs: New alternator and batteries around July. Yes I have motorcraft fuel filters and caps (changed with last oil change about 500 miles ago) Rest of Specs can be found in sig. Truck has 138xxx miles

Treatment: FICM, Glow plugs, other?

I will probably go ahead and do a voltage check on the FICM tomorrow (with fully charged batteries). Can I check the glow plugs?

Thanks for the input!

[joe_r_dog]

im sure its the ficm. make sure u do the testing at the three different times and make sure the truck is cold. and if its bad, post b4 u go to ford and ask them, u will regret going to ford for ficm issues. i do

[BDSford03]

I would do a Swamp Diesel 58v FICM before a stock one!

[TheOne]

check the FICM voltage and all that stuff. If it all checks out I would change the dummy plugs and stand pipes.

I had a hot start problem and I changed mine out for the updated ones and PROBLEM SOLVED. Even starts up quicker on cold starts, usually between half a crank to one crank and i am ready to go. Look into the dummy plugs they sell the kit on Tousley for 102 bucks.

[BDSford03]

FICM
31 key on
30 cranking
40 idling

Looks like I am gonna have some down time since swamps doesn't have new units on the shelf. Has anybody used Innovative s FICM? theres is more money. $620 compared to $550 with standard tune or $820 compared to $700 with performance tune.

[TheOne]

Originally Posted by BDSford03

FICM
31 key on
30 cranking
40 idling

Looks like I am gonna have some down time since swamps doesn't have new units on the shelf. Has anybody used Innovative s FICM? theres is more money. $620 compared to $550 with standard tune or $820 compared to $700 with performance tune.

Yep FICM problem

Everyone says Swamps is the way to go. Send yours in and just wait for the turn around time if you can.

[BDSford03]

it looks like thats the plan, Trying to arrange to borrow a car from the family!

[BDSford03]

Never mind it's not the ficm. I tested the wrong pin the first time. All readings are above 46v.

[TheOne]

DUMMY PLUGS

[BDSford03]

Everything I read for the dummy plugs are for hot start issues. Mine always starts fine when warm. Only when cold do I have occasional issues. Dummy plugs affect when cold too?