LR Mike

HGM - RPMs are low, around 1100, and only with TCC locked, high gear, cold. I haven't unplugged the ICP, but have taken over the IPR with IDS with no result, unless I bump it up a little. I like your method, though, but I think my RPM range is a little low. Back with the customer for now, anywy, so we'll see what happens!

Thanks for the info - I'll check the others and see where they are. Mine should be the latest, as I get the updates first then filter down. Maybe we are flip flopping the code then?

HMMM - I'm not sure about the '06, but the earlier PCMs you had to scrape away part of the circuit board protective coating to install the chip. This was easy to see once you removed the plastic cover from the side of the processor. CAN processor, though, I'm not sure how they are doing it. With a power programmer, I think it would be difficult to find..

Exactly! A little hard for the customers to take, though!

We've had a number of the 3 valve that actually bend a rod when they hydrolock. Replave the injectors and plugs, run it and still a low contribution and or knock! The first one we did last year was a Navigator, and it needed the cats too by the time it was done, as the raw fuel killed 'em! Good thing some penny pincher was able to save a few cdents on each injector....

Just got done with the run around on this one: '06 F-250, 4x4 Auto, 6.0L (of course, 6000 miles. When the truck is cold there is a very distinct vibration or stutter at around 45 - 50 MPH. Basically as soon as the trans shifts to OD and the TCC engages it comes right in. Drop out the TCC or pop it down a gear, gone. I took a number of recordings, and the problem is definately in the motor - you can actually watch the RPMs dither, as well as the ICP and IPR. I replaced the VGT solonoid and supply tube, as per hotlines recomendation (Zinc contamination), and no change. If I take control of the IPR, the VGT, etc. nothing changes unless I bump the IPR up 1 notch. EGR is 0% during the entire event - too cold? Finally I tried 2 other 05 / 06's we had here (4K and 22K miles) and they both also seem to have the condition? The newer truck not as bad, but the TCC isn't kicking in the same on it, adaptives aren't set apparently. I shipped all the recordings to Ford, with their final thoughts that it is a normal condition. I suppose I should just take them at that, but I've never had anyone complain of this before - mostly just curious if this is elsewhere? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shrug.gif Thanks guys!

Speed is a definate PLUS Wireless is absolutely the way to go. I installed all the wireless in the shop over the last 2 years, and the IDS just fit right in nicely. Since I use my own laptop to run the software, it also means I'm not too worried about someone dropping my PC. The only annoying thing I've run across so far is that the VCM software seems to update almost every day or so - this just means the first session of takes a little longer to get running, so not the end of the world. Overall at this point, a definte double

Congratulations on the promo ... errr.. demotion I stepped into a similar situation 3 years ago, and so far it's working pretty well. You'll have to structure your work to work best for you, though. I did dispatch for a time, but with 13 guys it was impossible to keep up with that and the problems! Now I'm out in the shop again where I should be and much better. I worked out a base weekly pay plus monthly commission based on overall shop. It works pretty good. Doesn't quite manage the wage I had before everyone figured out I could take on the problems, but at least my pay doesn't suffer because of them now. I've always said that in this business it doesn't pay to know too much (hope that made sense!)

Keith has a great point. According to Rotunda the reason the PDA kits are on BO is because the new generation of pocket PC's operate on a different platform than what the PDA software was designed for. Ford released a recent message identifing the ONLY current pocket PC able to run PDA software - Let me quote the May 02 release: WINDOWS MOBILE 5.0 OPERATING SYSTEM The HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC uses the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. It is the only device approved for use with Windows Mobile 5.0 and PDS. Do not install the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system on any Pocket PC currently running Windows Mobile 2003. One of my guys is trying to get on the list for a PDS system, they 'unofficially' indicated that they are 'highly likely' to start production of the kits again.

We've got IDS running in the shop now on 3 of my techs laptop's as well as my HP dv1000. No issues so far, except for the one ancient Compaq that is running almost as slow as WDS. We do have to share the VCM and cable amongst everyone, but not having to deal with the "Please Wait" of the WDS alone is worth it! I like IDS so far - very fast (at least on my PC) and does everything I've needed so far. We will be getting our VCM later this week, so that's one more thing to cross my fingers and hope works right! Regarding WDS support - I have a contract with ERS Solutions for my NGS and they have told me that they are staged to take over the WDS as soon as Ford lets it go. ERS Solutions