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About To Do High Idle Mod Need Info

3K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Nyberg 
#1 ·
Hey guys, I am about to do this mod.

High Idle Mod

I bought the toggle switch tonight. My question is. If I forget to turn it off or untoggle it will it cause any damage to the truck? I bought a led switch so it lights up when its on but still where I plan on mounting it I might forget. My wife also drives the truck. Just wondering if It was to get left on and driven with it on would it disengage its self or would it cause damage.

got a 2004 psd btw
 
#2 ·
Nothing gets damaged. It will not engage unless in Park and the parking brake is set. Once engaged, it disengages as soon as you touch the brakes or release the parking brake.
 
#3 ·
I recently did this mod myself. It's super easy and works great for for cold starts. I don't see how it could hurt anything if left on, but I'm no expert. Also, since yours is an 04, you shouldn't have to set your parking brake to use it. It should only have to be in park. On 05+ trucks you have to set the parking brake, but 03-04 you do not.
 
#4 ·
If you have a manual tranny it wont work on a 2003-2004
 
#7 ·
wont the high idle hurt the engine if its used when its cold out and the engine is cold?
 
#9 ·
Sometimes people confuse idle terminology. When people say "its bad to let these newer diesels idle"...they mean low idle....as in 800 rpm or whatever it typically does. Those rpms don't allow for much heat to be produced. 1200 rpm high idle produces much more engine heat and is OK for extended periods.

Now, mostly when Cummins or Detroit or whomever say "high idle" in a shop manual or whatever...they mean full throttle governed RPM with no load. Thats high idle. But us typical pickup owners first instinct is to think idle means idle as we know it.

Only minimum rpm low idle no load is bad for these diesels for more than 15 minutes. Even still it takes alot of this to really produce some bad results. But eventually it will so don't do it. Cummins ISB's used to build up varnish on valves from lack of heat, and eventually they'd stick in the bores and get smacked by a piston causing all kinds of fun stuff and noise.
 
#10 ·
cxrxaxz, did you get the high idle done? Have you watched your fuel milage drop during the cold spell running the high idle mod? Mine too, but glad to warm it up a little faster.

I put a new avatar on to show my switches for my 2004 f350, since we didn't get upfitters in this year.
 
#12 ·
I haven't had this 6.0 for very long,(July) but since I have had to increase my warm up time this winter, my milage down to under 9, all city driving.
At work, our company hammers Us every week about idle time. They post everyone's idle time weekly! We drive Detroit Series 60. We are required to shut down the moment we stop rolling. I counted one day, I restarted my truck 22 times. It is totally opposite of how to treat a diesel years ago.

Watch the on board mpg gauge while it's idling, it just keeps dropping, and yes I always check actual usage and miles every fill. The mpg gauge in my f350 is usually real close. (no I don't calc. wind, rain, traffic or how many stop lights I make) joking!
 
#13 ·
Guess its cheaper to replace starters. Pull into your lot about 2500 rpms and shut it down under power while your still rolling. Then coast to your parking spot. That'll make you a star with NO idle time. Might cost a turbo or two...but it'll reduce idling. (just kidding of course).

I understand long idle times. But I don't understand not letting a hot turbo cool a little. Maybe a minute or two at least.
 
#14 ·
where can u buy a button for this, have no ford dealer near me,
i have a place for a original button so would be nice to use that.
 
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