Component Tests and General Diagnostics
DiagnosticsNOTE: Make sure the WDS is at the latest release level and that the vehicle is updated to the latest calibration Calibration concerns powertrain component faults and FICM malfunctions may produce similar driveability concerns The FICM is often mis-diagnosed and needlessly replaced
NOTE: The most common symptoms of a failed FICM are: NO START or CONSTANT MISFIRE AT ALL ENGINE TEMPERATURES, Symptoms other than these are not likely to be caused by the FICM module
NOTE: Replacement FICMs do not contain software They must be programmed prior to use
Fault Detection
The FICM circuit fault detection is unique from other Ford circuits The FICM measures current to determine if an injector coil is open or shorted
Open coils produce low current which sets the injector circuit low codes (ie P0261 P0264, P0282)
Shorted coils (side shorts) or short to grounds produce high current which sets the injector circuit high codes (ie P0262, P0265,., P0283).
Diagnostic Trouble Code Retrieval
Technicians must retrieve codes from the PCM as well as the TCM. The power monitor DTCs reside within the TCM (Note: P2252 and P0148) and may be the only diagnostic tool to lead the technician to the cause of the drivability issue.
The PCM controller and TCM controller are within the same enclosure on the 6.0L. Having two controllers PCM and TCM is relatively new.
When extracting DTC's via the WDS, it is important that you not only retrieve the Engine DTC's but also the Transmission DTC's. This can be completed in one step by selecting POWERTRAIN ENGINE/TRANSMISSION rather than ENGINE and TRANSMISSION individually.
It is important that transmission codes are retrieved from both automatic and manual transmission applications.
NOTE: This step is unique to the 6.OL Diesel engine vs. the 7.3L Diesel engine.
FICM Logic Power
If there is no FICM logic power to the FICM, the injectors will still buzz once the key is cycled but the engine will not start. There will be no other symptoms related to the no start condition.
^ With the WDS, select DATALOGGER PID FICM LPWR. This PID will show how much voltage is being supplied to the FICM. If less then eight volts, check for short/open or low battery.
^ If no voltage is being supplied, check logic fuse located in the relay center box. This box is mounted on the driver's side toward the cowl.
^ No voltage could also be caused by the FICM logic circuit through the C1282 (12PIN) connector.
FICM PID and Wiring Relationship
^ The FICM voltage PIDs are heavily filtered and therefore will respond slowly to a wiggle test for intermittent connection
^ The FICM voltage PIDs are displayed in half volt (05v) resolution
^ The FICM logic power circuit runs from the FICM (connector C1388C (X3), pin 8), goes through the C1282 (12 pin) connector, pin 6 and intersects to the FICM Power Circuit Included in the FICM logic power circuit is a 10 amp fuse
^ The FICM's key power circuit runs from the FICM (connector C1388C(X3), pin7), goes through the C1282 (12 pin) connector, pin 9 and makes connection with the ignition switch, where it receives its power
^ The FICM power circuit runs from the FICM (connector C1388C(X3), pins 4,23,24,25), goes through the C1282 (12 pin) connector, pin 12 and connects at the FICM power relay
^ The FIVE FICM ground pins (1, 2, 3, 22, 26) are all tied together inside the FICM Hence, no independent affect on a PID
Engine Maintenance
If an engine has been the victim of poor/lack of maintenance, performance and operation quality will suffer. Components that are highly suseptable to poor maintenance are the fuel injectors.
Poorly maintained oil and poor fuel quality (Low lubricity or unclean) can permanently damage multiple injectors within a short time period. This can lead a technician to believe that the FICM has malfunctioned when it actually is working as intended
One way to investigate questionable maintenance with damaged injectors is through the use of the injector electrical test (buzz/click test).
Adamaged or poorly maintained injector may be quieter or have an intermitant buzz/click. The buzz/click may sound abnormal when engine oil temperature is cold (ambient temperature) and return closer to normal as the engine temperature rises.
The reason for the change in sound results from the build-up of oil sludge on the ends of the spool valve in the upper portion of the injector.
This type of failure is not a defect in the product but rather a result of a poorly performed maintenance schedule.
Bio-Diesel Fuel
Higher than specified amounts of Bio-diesel fuel has been found to cause multiple injector failures. These multiple failures can tend to make a technician believe that the FICM is malfunctioning.
In these cases, the FICM is working as intended, but movement of the spool in the upper portion of the injector is limited due to sludge build-up on the ends of the spool.
This type of failure is not a defect in the product but rather a result of an unauthorized amount of Bio diesel fuel being used.
SYNC
SYNC is achieved when the PCM receives a signal from the Crankshaft sensor (CKP) indicating the sensor is working and the correct signal has been identified by the PCM If the Crankshaft sensor is working improperly the PCM cannot calculate engine speed or cylinder position, preventing fuel delivery.
Diagnosing SYNC:
Using the WDS, select the SYNC PID This PID will be viewed as a YES or NO on the top of the data screen. KOER, SYNC should always read YES.
SYNC is totally dirived from the CKP sensor. It is possible to have no CMP sensor signal and still have SYNC (YES) and an RPM signal.
NO SYNC and no RPM signal, typically is a faulty CKP sensor/circuit problem.
FICM SYNC
The FICM uses CMPO (Camshaft Position Sensor Output) and CKPO (Crankshaft Position Sensor Output) signals, which are sent by the PCM, to calculate FICM SYNC. FICM SYNC is calculated by the FICM and is the correlation between the camshaft pin and the crankshaft triggers. Once FICM SYNC is achieved, the FICM uses engine speed, MFDES (Mass Fuel Desired), ECI and ICP to calculate fuel timing, pulse width, and pilot injection usage. If the CMPO and CKPO signale are not properly timed, FICM Sync may not occur.
Diagnosing FICM SYNC:
Note: Always diagnose any SYNC issues before diagnosing FICM SYNC issues
Using the WDS, select the FICM SYNC PID This PID will be viewed as a YES or NO on the top of the data screen KOER, FIDM SYNC should always read YES.
If there is no FICM SYNC while cranking the engine, then the problem is limited to the circuit illustrated below. The FICM SYNC circuit relays information from the PCM to the FICM
Engine Wiring Harness FICM SYNC occurs through two circuits between the FICM and PCM Verity engine wiring harness circuits CMPO and CKPO If one of these two circuits has a short/open, FICM SYNC will not occur.
PCM: If the PCM is not working properly, FICM SYNC may not occur.
FICM: If the FICM is not orking properly, FICM SYNC may not occur.
CMP: If the CMP signal is corrupt (electrical or mechanical) FICM SYNC may not occur
