FICM monitoring question

[phil_phil]

I just had my FICM redone, I found out it was bad when checked for codes.

Now I'm wondering if I need to keep a constant eye on the FICM voltage, or if it would be almost as good to monitor my battery voltage closely with an external gauge and check my codes regularly.

While it would be best to monitor the FICM directly, I have a device plugged into the OBDII port already and I would like to keep it if I can.

[07OUTLAW]

I don't think it's nessecary to constantly monitor FICM voltage. I do, however, think it's a good idea to check it farily frequently.
I check FICM voltage everytime I do an oil change. I also scan for codes everytime I change my tune, about once or twice a month.

[Dave]

What is currently plugged into your OBD II port?

[phil_phil]

I’ve got a banks six gun with speed loader plugged in right now, not that I use it for much more than monitoring systems right now. It was on the truck when I bought it and it uses a palm pilot pda as the display. I don’t really use it for the added power, I’ve only had the truck for about a year and am happy with the power over the ford gasers I’ve owned in the past and I know what happens once you start going faster (my stock 5.0 ended up with a nitros etc.) so I’m trying to control myself. I’ve been reading that the banks system isn’t liked because of high cost and transmission issues, but I’ve got a manual trans didn’t have to pay for it so I’m thinking I’ll keep it if the go fast bug gets me again.

[07 Ford 6.0]

I agree that FICM voltage is great to monitor and will obviously let you know that there is a problem when the voltage drops below specifications when testing (key in ignition on, cranking, running) and so on as I learned on the forum. (This forum is great) I now monitor it with my Scanguage II that I purchased as suggested by someone on the forum. I had great voltage in all positions and still had a bad FICM. I did not learn this until after I replaced an injector thinking it was bad due to all the input I received. In my uneducated term, there is a control side to the FICM that has nothing to do with voltage that can go bad. I am just trying to spread the word and hopefully help someone else out that may read this. Monitoring the voltage can definitely tell you when the FICM is bad but; having good voltage does not guarantee the FICM is good. Even when I called the company that repairs the FICM and gave them all of my details, they gave me several other issues that they believed was probably wrong instead of the FICM. The guy was very knowledgeable and intellegent. I have learned that somtimes it is an easy diagnosis and other times it is not. I love the forum and appreciate all of the help.

[Evil Eye]

I ended up with codes before my FICM decided to finally die leaving me stranded but others aren't so lucky. Many of my friends with 6.0L's have had their FICM's die with no warning at all. Just woke up to a no start with LOTS of white smoke that smelled like diesel. Anyway, I like to monitor FICM voltage since the FICM is CRITICAL to the operation of the truck and one of the early warning signs of failure is the FICM voltage dropping below 45v. Not sure if it's available on the Power PDA (maybe there's a firmware update you can download), but it's available on several of the other electronic monitoring setups. IMO if it is left up to a human to have to go do something, you won't be as consistent as if it were on your monitor and you just have to glance over to know its working properly.