Keith Browning

We have had several threads on scoping CKP and CMP sensors and I watched and learned... but have very little hands on experience myself. I now have a truck that I am checking signals on but I have to play with the settings to make them recognizable/readable and to look like the many examples I have seen including the pre-loaded ones in IDS. So my question is, what settings for voltage, time and zoom are you guys using for CKP and CMP? I am selecting the preset auto configure foe each channel and sensor but I have to tweak the settings to make them readable.

Same here, I cant get my guys to check fuel pressure as much as the should. The gauge comes out only AFTER we have spent a couple hours chasing problems. One of my techs also thinks that tapping in at the HFCM outlet is "good enough" for fuel pressure testing. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banghead.gif

Thank you, that was faster response than Rotunda, I emailed them. I plugged that tool number into the search box on the Rotunda site and came up empty.

There is an adapter -T that is used in conjunction with the Break Out Box for 6 liter engines. Anybody know the tool number? I am still searching but haven't found it yet...

This post was wayyyyy off. Please disregard! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif Depending on the model year/production date it is one of the two IPR sockets in your special service tool kits. If you reference the proper shop manual engine section on disassembly you will find the part number for the IPR socket... along with all the other tools needed to work on the engine.

Any idea how I can get my hands on it? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Holy cow Larry! Relax, not everybody has the time to log in twenty times a day.

I see a couple of familiar names in the experts column. Maybe I should sign up and make a few bucks. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif

Does anyone know if a PDF version of the 4.5L Coffee Table book exists or better yet, do you have a copy of it or know where I can download it? This publication looks like it is strictly an International release but it is the same as all the rest. Just no Ford references on it anywhere. The pub number is TMT-120502. I do have the book in print form and had all of the best intentions of making my own PDF version, but time has not permitted so. I suppose if I cant find it elsewhere I am going to have to force the issue.

Oil filter housing is in green and the adapter is red. There arent any good exploded views for us to look at.

I have been thinking about looking at MAC too. My sister has one and I was playing around with it. I heard that there is a version of Windows that will run on a MAC and you can now run Windows programs too. Check it out! apple.com VMware Fusion

These things are not plug and play. I tried swapping modules with a stock unit just to play around with. The truck would not start and I did not want to use the programmable module installation but I cant remember why. I am sure the module could be programmed for another truck for "testing purposes" but the thing will develop some real funky problems. It would be a really sick prank to pull on somebody though.

I don't see where they are selling material. Where? I cant believe people are actually biting with all if the free resources and forums available.

Ooooh yeah! Good advice, stock gaskets will never work with that cylinder block again.

Fire Rings. These are part of a high performance cylinder head gasket installation and a groove must be machined to accomodate them. Supposedly they will withstand much higher cylinder pressures than the stock gaskets. Was this engine also upgraded with head studs as well? Quote: hotline did not know what they were I call bullshit on that. They know exactly what you were asking them about.

Bruce, the toolsforeducation.com site is pretty much busted. Most of the interesting links are broken or don't work. This topic just planted the seed. Give it time and see what I can conceptualize. The test software I started using has a companion program for creating demonstrations but I would prefer something with a little interactive ability. I should download the trial version and really play with it before I make my mind up on it. I found something else that looks promising but it is a little more expensive. Remember, I am on a budget.

Bingo! That is what I am looking to put together. I have some gift cards... I should go shopping.

Bored? It's fascinating and the more I learn about you and all that encompasses your training the more I am impressed. As for sounding like an ad for Turbo Training, you are a DTS sponsor so, um, like, ahhhhhhh... you are fine. The diagram with the multi-meter gives me an idea for a shortish 10 question on line test. If only I had software to create interactive stuff instead of just tests, ohhh the stuff I could do with this site!

Indeed. I think diesel power will still be around for some time to come but it would be wise for those of us who may remain in this business for the foreseeable future to expand their knowledge and expertise into the alternatives. Is still don't see why there hasn't been something like a diesel-electric power plant designed for things like heavy trucks and busses. Run a super efficient small diesel engine running a generator to power electric drivers at the axles.

Yeah, I always seem to be in the middle of a test or programming a module when the battery in my laptop gets low, the battery light turns red and starts a flashing. this usually happens when I forget to plug in my cart when I put it back against the wall where I park it. I have a two bay shop off the side attached to the main shop and I roll my cart around a lot. It's kinda like my own little Private Idaho.

Interesting take on this Jayson and I think you might be dead on about it. Rising energy costs are going to take the advancement of more efficient, cleaner engines already being developed for emissions reasons and push it even harder. In fact, I would even say this is already the case as the manufacturers have been flaunting their coming technology and the use of hybrids and alternative fuels like ethanol and other bio-fuels. The new Diesel Fiesta is a prime example. Unfortunately we Americans are stupid and generally don't change our thinking until it affects our wallets hard and perhaps this is exactly what we need. If we were smart, we would take the "political/national interest" approach and look toward becoming energy independent and solve many more problems than just saving a buck. Such new industries like alternative fuels for example could bring thousands of new jobs to Americans right here at home. Bio-fuels? Farming might make a big comeback. Oil is the driving force behind almost everything... except maybe Bill and Hillary Clinton. They run on bullshit and hot air. Here in NJ we have been enjoying the lowest average cost per gallon of gasoline in the country. The price of unleaded regular JUST crossed the $3 mark at my favorite filling station on 3/14. I filled up with 21 gallons at $2.97 the night before on my way home from work. It was at $3.03 the next morning on my way in to work. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif

I have personally gotten extraordinary life out of computers. The PC used to create and maintain this web site is approaching it's 10th birthday since I built it and its still running well. Oh, I have had to upgrade stuff here and there, a new video card, more ram, added a DVD burner and upgraded the operating system twice. I also have saved a few from family that had been retired and they are still in use. I have done quite a bit of hard disk formatting and OS upgrading. Two things to keep in mind as you use your computers. Keep all documents in your My Documents folder religiously. This makes it easier to back up and transfer and you don't have to go hunting to find them. Second, keep a list of all the programs you install and use. IF you are like me, installing a lot of trial versions before buying, you will need to keep track of programs to help you when you remove un-used programs filling your hard drive. An external hard drive is also a good idea for back ups. There are some really good ones now and the prices are reasonable even for the larger capacity drives 500Mb and up. Thats a lot of storage. They even have software that will automate data back ups for you. Before upgrading any OS, I also have a list of the system's hardware. Since my main PC was built by me, I have all of the disks with the drivers and software to install. But when a new OS is installed and drivers are not on the Windows disk and you don't have a separate disk(s) with drivers for your machine, the set up will usually install something that will work at least well enough to make the machine usable and then you can download the necessary drivers provided you know the manufacturer of the devices. On occasion you will find a device that is disabled though. So, that list of devices I mentioned? Unless they are really old, all manufacturers have a web site with updated drivers that you can download which I recommend doing BEFORE performing an OS upgrade. Burn them onto a disk and you will have your own no BS install disk. Doing this to a Dell I can tell is no problem. You can go to Dell.com and enter your machines model number and get a list of the drivers for the devices in that computer. Other than IBM I don't know if you have that option but my guess is that you can. I have removed the installed OS and software on every PC or laptop I bought new as mentioned for the same reasons. I then reinstall the OS and if you monitor the installation, you can bypass the junk that comes with the OEM set up disks. I feel it is better to start clean so I actually reformat to ensure everything is removed. I will very likely be treating myself to a new PC this year and unless the option is not available, I WILL be ordering Windows XP Professional... Oh, about Windows Vista, This is a topic about Vista and IDS... Well, if the PC or laptop you are using is primarily used for that use then why even waste your time forcing the issue? I have TWO laptops at work. One in my box for "me" that I log into FMC dealer, visit the DTS and noodle around the web and email, and the other is strictly my diagnostic computer. I loaded Windows XP-Professional and I run IDS, Cat-ET and MD-Truck on the same machine exclusively. Life is happy on that one and I also access FMC dealer and Caterpillar SIS Web while I am using it. Everything is compatible and more importantly, SUPPORTED. By the way, the diagnostic roll cart I was putting together is basically complete. I am still debating on using a DC/AC converter to extend the life of my laptop battery. I have two 900 CCA batteries on the bottom shelf for "ballast" but I should put them to use. Then, all I would need to do is add a small charger to bring them back up at night.

I went looking for the definitive answer on FMC Dealer and of course I could not find an exact description. So I'll take a shot at explaining the best I can: RTDA stands for "Real Time Diagnostic Assistance" which is a dealer specific prior approval program based on warranty numbers indicating abnormalities. Each dealer participating (I love how they make it sound like you are volunteering for something fun or useful) will be in for a specific group or groups of repairs like engines, transmissions, modules etc.. My dealer has been on this for modules since I can remember. Basically, if I diagnose a truck as needing an airbag module for example, I then have sit down and fill out a worksheet, call the RTDA number and talk to this guy on the other end. You exchange vehicle and repair order info and describe the concern, diagnostic steps and part required to fix the truck. After that you usually get an approval code which has to be entered with the claim in order to get paid.

We removed it in the 6.4L class on a stand with the turbos still on... which was really ass backward now that I think of it. Then again, it was the second class and much of it needed fine tuning and organizing.