Cold weather question?

[Lastcaveman]

I reset my programmer to monitor the ECT and OCT after reading a lot of post on the importance of this. What I found out was that my block heater wasn`t doing anything.I had to start it Tuesday and the OCT was 18 degrees and the outside temp was 4 degrees. I later found that the plug on the heater at the front of the truck had a broken wire. It`s now fixed and works great. What I want to know is it possible that being so cold it could cause a P0611 to show up ? Ive been having this problem since Christmas of the code showing up every so often. I checked the voltages on the FICM and they were good but now I wonder if the cold could have anything to do with it. So far since repairing the plug and having the heater working The codes have not shown up ( YET) I wasnt putting in any additives in the fuel. Didn`t know about them till coming to this forum.

[w_huisman]

P0611 typically indicates a dying FICM. I have never heard of cold weather directly causing the P0611.

Cold weather is when dying FICMs tend to show themselves. Thicker cold oil makes the FICM work harder to buzz the injectors before a cold start up.

My truck started right up yesterday after not running for two days in 10F high/-10F low temps, not plugged in.

Last winter, before I replaced my FICM, that never would have happened. Any time it got to 20F or lower, it was a crap shoot as to whether it would start or not, and the struggle to start really taxed my batteries, alternator, and starter.

So I opted to replace the FICM before I had to replace the FICM, batteries, alternator, and starter.

And now I'm confident that my truck will start after being unplugged overnight in temps down to -10F.

[Lastcaveman]

Originally Posted by w_huisman

P0611 typically indicates a dying FICM. I have never heard of cold weather directly causing the P0611.

Cold weather is when dying FICMs tend to show themselves. Thicker cold oil makes the FICM work harder to buzz the injectors before a cold start up.

My truck started right up yesterday after not running for two days in 10F high/-10F low temps, not plugged in.

Last winter, before I replaced my FICM, that never would have happened. Any time it got to 20F or lower, it was a crap shoot as to whether it would start or not, and the struggle to start really taxed my batteries, alternator, and starter.

So I opted to replace the FICM before I had to replace the FICM, batteries, alternator, and starter.

And now I'm confident that my truck will start after being unplugged overnight in temps down to -10F.

My truck starts fine. At 4 degree it took less than two seconds to start, it just dont sound real good at first. And then I got the 611 code. It dosent do it when the block is warm. Could it be my FICM is weak ? How can I check it? I dont want to replace it if its not bad.

[w_huisman]

Originally Posted by Lastcaveman

My truck starts fine....

Without the block heater plugged in?

Originally Posted by Lastcaveman

Could it be my FICM is weak ?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Lastcaveman

How can I check it? I dont want to replace it if its not bad.

Testing your FICM - easy procedure. - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

[QMartinez]

Originally Posted by w_huisman

P0611 typically indicates a dying FICM. I have never heard of cold weather directly causing the P0611.

Cold weather is when dying FICMs tend to show themselves. Thicker cold oil makes the FICM work harder to buzz the injectors before a cold start up.

My truck started right up yesterday after not running for two days in 10F high/-10F low temps, not plugged in.

Last winter, before I replaced my FICM, that never would have happened. Any time it got to 20F or lower, it was a crap shoot as to whether it would start or not, and the struggle to start really taxed my batteries, alternator, and starter.

So I opted to replace the FICM before I had to replace the FICM, batteries, alternator, and starter.

And now I'm confident that my truck will start after being unplugged overnight in temps down to -10F.

What oil do you use?

[2 stroker]

This may help

YouTube - Ford 6.0 FICM Testing & Removal Instructional Video

YouTube - Ford 6.0 FICM Testing & Removal Instructional Video

2 stroker

[w_huisman]

Originally Posted by QMartinez

What oil do you use?

Rotella T-6 5W-40. I've been running it since i bought the truck almost 2 years ago, in March 2009.

[Lastcaveman]

I checked the FICM using the directions I found in the tech tips last week. I have 48V with key on motor off and 46.5 with motor running. This all started around Christmas the motor was stalling and emitting white/blue smoke. I got some help from the forum here and finally cleaned the EGR valve and everything got a lot better. Except sometimes the 611 code will show up. not every time. The voltages checked out OK so I didn't make the repair on the FICM but now I think maybe I should. I`ll re-solder the connections tomorrow and see if that might fix it. Thanks and I`ll post what I learn