Could be an internal short in the IDM.

 

Well what ever it is, now it's intermittent If I let it click for awhile (the UPS man brought me my AE scanner) as I'm trying to get the scanner to communicate, the clicking stops after a min or so. Then, the truck starts and dies again when the relay and idiot light click again.

Then the next time I try it it starts and idols for 5 mins just fine, I know I'm going to get stranded by this

The CEL light is Not on when it starts so I'm not sure what the scanners going to tell me.

 

On your AE software, click on vehicle in the upper left corner, when dialog box opens, go to the vehicle interface section (lower) two drop down menu's interface type= auto detect,initialization type: non OBD2 only, then click Ok. sounds like an issue with the idm relay but run self test, injector buzz, and see if any IDM codes show up. if any injector circuit codes show, check wire harness from IDM to injector, should be no more that .5 to .7 ohms from end to end. check relay connections by wiggling relay while truck is running, terminals can become loose and cause connection intermit. look in owners manual for location of fuses/relays

Have fun with the AE software, it's a great tool and a great value

 

Wow that's some great info! - Thx

Problem is.... Things just went from Bad to Worse

Couldn't get the AE to connect with the truck (tried on my other cars and it connected fine) it got part way there, open the box to create a new "File" I selected FORD _ 2002_ 7.3 then,,, it hangs and says something like "can't create, shut-down and restart" I tried it several times...


So, I'm thinking "Intermittent, weird electrical problems, can't communicate with the computer, maybe water or crud is in the computer connector itself" and I pulled it.

Looks clean, plug it back in, trucks DEAD, no lights w/key, just dead.

I pull the connector (wondering if I'll see mashed pins or something ) looks good, I put it back on, maybe not as tight as the last time, and we're back to clicking & flashing like it was.

I think "maybe it IS a connection problem here" and tighten the connector bolt back down and try it again. DEAD again but now, it STAYS DEAD!

Did I just blow the computer somehow?

****!

 

I would do a voltage drop test on all the battery positive connections first, then check all grounds using the ohm meter, be sure to wiggle em' during testing. Key on, wiggle the PCM power relay, see if stuff lights up. Be sure to check the PCM ground ,center left fire wall and engine to body ground, left side cylinder head rear. PCM is fuse protected, doubt you caused any problem. Also need to check cigar lighter fuse, this provides power to sixteen pin DLC connector, no power? no communication with scan tool.

Call or email Bill at AE, He'll walk you through your communication issue.

 

Oh, this frackin thing is possessed

OK, got off a little early to work on the truck today....

I have Cleaned - Scraped - Tightened - Greased

All 4 battery terminals and ends

Both (-) cables where they attach to the block

Ground on the firewall, below the windshield, above the booster (PCM I hope?)

Ground on firewall, below the windshield, on passenger side

Other end on that at rear of right head

Below that at bottom of engine on bellhousing bolt

Other end of that on frame & body under passenger rocker

Two more, in cab, to the right of the steering column

Did I miss anything important?

NONE of these looked bad, no green, rust, or white powder. I understand these trucks have bad-ground issues so I'm glad to have done it for the future

Less that 1/2 Ohm resistance from either Negative terminal to anywhere on the block or body. No voltage drop on the (+) side.

I also put my jumper cables on both the body & engine to the (-) terminal for a solid ground.

Only "green" I've found is on the ODBII connector itself (couple of pins) and probably why the AE wouldn't communicate.

NOW here's what the stupid thing is doing ....

Roll the key on, Nothing, well almost nothing. There's a quite clacking, buzzing from behind the gauges. And sometimes the key buzzer tries to buzz. If I wait a bit, the needles go up on the Tach & speedo. The "Check Gauges" flickers some The ABS light might flicker...

More buzzing and clicking from other places (I pull ALL relays and none of them are the clicking) Other lights come & go on the dash (GP - Water - Batt - seatbelt) BUT

I can stop all of it by applying a real load like turning on the headlights (they don't work, nothing works, no radio, interior lights, nothing) but it keeps trying to get going with all these noises under the dash I think...

If I put the charger (50A) on the batteries it doesn't change anything and both batteries only draw less that 10A from the charger.

Even then I can't turn-on the headlights. I really don't think I have a battery problem though. When it did crank, it cranked hard & long without slowing down at all and they both, individually, read 12.8V ea.

What disturbs me is.... None of this drastic stuff started until unplugged the computer and then, went away (temporarily) when I loosened the connector bolt. Once retightened, it came back and Stayed Back.

Would a computer issue keep me from turning-on the headlights? (I can see the interior lights because of the timer, but No horn & headlights??)

I'm really baffled, and would appreciate some opinions.....

TIA

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update - I now find all this "clacking/buzzing" goes on with the key on the seat and the doors closed for over 5mins (I left the window open). I just Have to disconnect the batteries.... just couldn't think of it doing this all night

 

Oh, THIS can't be Right!

I keep thinking that there's something going on with the computer connection because it's that only thing I messed with that caused a change...

So, I take out the PCM and open it, look carefully at the edge connector, don't see anything out of place. Next I really examine the plug looking for cracks or corrosion - nothing there either

Then I realize that in the act of plugging & un-plugging the computer connector I kind of jostle alot of things around there so I open ALL the connectors there, open the relay block and pull those but everything looks clean everywhere I look.

THIS is underneath to all those wires/connectors where the computer plug comes through the firewall. It comes from a box on top of the wheel well, close to the air box and is labeled "CAUTION HIGH CURRENT" (there used to be a ring at the end of this wire, now it's just green fuzz)

What is this for?

 

The end of this story.....

Fixed it - all's good now

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/99.../106602-potential-electrical-corrosion-if-your-truck-like-mine.html#post1343921

 

Weird man, my buddy was over on Saturday with his '02, with similar symptoms. Found the same thing you did.

 

Well I have been having problems since instlaling my chip. They didn't happen right away but probably within 2-3 weeks. I have clicking I've never had before and even though I took the chip out of the PCM port the clicking is still there. It does it some of the time. The truck also wouldn't crank right up ojn the first start yesterday. This is a first for my truck.

I am hoping I find the same thing you did, please dear God. Love the truck but always fear something terrible has happened to it (when symptoms have cropped up) or something I will never be able to solve.

Thanks for the info.

 

I have the same problem, the IDM relay just clicks, on the PCM relay for post 30 and 85 i have 12 volts, at 87 have 6 volts and 86 has nothing. On the IDM relay i have 12 volts at 30 but only 6 volts at 85 and nothing at 87 and 86, Ive pulled the fuse box apart and all the wires look good, cleaned the batteries and checked the grounds and all looks good. Also took the PCM connector apart and all the wires look good, and tried a known good IDM with the same results. This is a 97 E350 van. I really appreciate your help with this.