Powerstroke Question

Steve@Advance · Jun 1, 2017

I posted this over on Talers, got a couple of good responses, hoping to get some good shade tree diagnostics. Any common problems to look for?

Working on a 06 F350 6.0 Powerstroke.

I suspect there is a fan clutch problem. The AC quits cooling at idle, and yesterday it overheated in traffic.

Shouldn't the fan be moving air and roaring with the AC on? On initial start up, it blows for a couple seconds, then goes into freewheel mode, still turning but moving very little air. I wasn't driving it yesterday when it overheated, but the owner said he didn't recall hearing it roar.

The check engine light came on Tuesday, that scanned as #6 glow plug. I haven't fixed that yet, but the AC problem starter last week.
There wasn't any code set relating to the fan clutch, but I haven't rescanned it today.

Is there a relay, fuse, any way to bypass the control to test the fan clutch? I looked on Youtube, no diagnostics, just R&R.

Thanks!

VicS · Jun 1, 2017

Could be the fan clutch. But on my 03 the (i'll call them all radiators) radiatos were clogged up with fescue seed. Took it to dealer they changed almost everything then took the radiators apart last. But they didn't charge me for nothing but labor.

4play · Jun 1, 2017

Without the bigger diagnostic machines, that can turn the fan on/off or increase the duty cycle, there is a wire you can ground.

Find the connector for the clutch, clean the wires so you can see the colors, you are looking for the Dark Blue wire, temporarily add a ground jumper to this wire and that should force the clutch to full. Don't cut the wire in half and make sure you can re-insulate after done. Some people have spliced this wire to a switch for full fan clutch control. Keep in the mind the PCM grounds this wire to control fan speed, it can control speed anywhere between 0-100% using a duty cycle.

Chasing_Deere · Jun 1, 2017

Cant you just run 12 volts to the clutch by way of jumpers and see if it engages?

4play · Jun 1, 2017

The fan clutch has power all the time (start/run on red wire), the PCM grounds the clutch to engage it. It uses a duty cycle most of the time, unless it is commanding 100%. The clutch is known for failures on the 6.0PSD, they usually set DTC's though because they monitor the fan speed using sensors.

Steve@Advance · Jun 2, 2017

Thanks 4play, that's what I needed to know!

Now I can test the clutch.

I hope it is the clutch, not the controller!

Thanks again!

Gambles · Jun 2, 2017

Probably not the reason for your overheating, but do a search on Powerstroke radiator cap problems. They were marginal when they were new and Ford has revised them since. Most will not hold factory pressure when put to a test.

Powerstroke Question

Steve@Advance

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VicS

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4play

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Chasing_Deere

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4play

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Steve@Advance

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Gambles

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