I have a May 06 build truck. There are later flashes available for the ECM but I am gun shy to have them done. My last truck ('04 Ford 6.0) got flashed so many times I lost track, and it seemed to me that it got worse instead of better. I have also read that the flash for '06 trucks raises the base idle to 850 and also has some other undsireable effects. My main concern is that my truck gets pretty good mileage 19 - 20 empty and easy driving. I would not want to do anything to mess that up. Opinions and preferrably experiences are welcome.

 

No experience but, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

I had the latest flash done to my 2006, brought some good things - like the overhead got really accurate, better drivability clutch wise. I had a couple codes when starting in really cold weather, they have not returned, and that was covered in the latest flash stuff. Probably other stuff was good too. My truck ran good before and it is running good after, but my thought about it was that it would bring everything up to a better level, so I had it done.

CD

 

CD, any change in mileage / idle speed? Please explain the better drivability in regards to the clutch. Did it fix the long crank issue?

 

how do you go about getting the flashes done? Where? How much?

 

At a dealer,they get about an hour labor at most shops.

Bob

 

i got the hard start flash and 1 other done last summer because i heard the updated flashes helped with mileage but noticed no difference myself.they said they could do it for free if i said it ever had check engine light on so i said yes it did at one time.

 

Dealer did a flash update on mine, due to the interior lights malfunctioning. Didn't notice any other changes.

 

i got the long crank/cold start re-flash done last year, and it not only fixed the problem, but had the truck running better than ever. if it's still under warranty, they should give you the re-flash for free.

 

Nick.

YES, I did see an increase in fuel mileage. My idle speed went to 800 or a little more, maybe closer to 825. As far as the clutch, it seems to engage a little higher off the floor and also seems to have a little more room at the top sie of the pedal. So, I am assuming that it must have some electronic control of the clutch hydraulics??? I have not had time to go into the schematics or the ECM information to see if in fact there is some electronics involved in clutch management. I on occasion saw a little white smoke at startup, it was intermittent, not every start, BUT it WAS when a long crank occurred, again not every start, intermittent. That is now gone, no longer happening. Another thing I have noticed since we are into really cold weather, is that before the flash the high idle came on 'sometimes' but not always. Now the high idle comes on every time the temps are really cold. Also, the grid heater used to come on at startup, then after I started moving (certain speed, maybe 15mph) the grid heater would stop running. Now, until the truck is warmed up to normal operating temps the grid heater continues to cycle when driving at slower speeds. I have also noticed a change in rail pressure, less fluctuations, more constant and stable pressure. There are probably other, no so obvious changes from the total update they did to the ECM, but they must be subtle things, or stuff I have yet to notice.

All in all, my truck was running good before the updates, now it seems to be running smoother, and maybe even a little stronger. I am glad I got the update done.

CD

 

A while back I read the TSB about long start. I recall it said it was for manual tranny trucks and I have an auto. I had a couple of episodes of "long start" but never took it in for dealer inspection. Do you think the dealer re-flash would benefit my mileage? The truck does run well but I'm averaging below 16.5 overall hand calculated and the overhead is off about 2 MPG.


Dan