So obviously on the diesel trucks, F250 F350, they idle up when cold to help the engine warm up...and for various other reasons like the new emissions control stuff on the 08 SD that kicks on some kind of burner in the tailpipe while idling high to digest the left over goodies in the exhaust...

Question is can something like this be done on a F150? There appears to be no manual linkage on the throttle body therefor it is controlled electronically. Seems to me that something like this can be done by adding a switch and some kind of resistance to the power going into the TB voltage. When you start the truck on a cold morning it starts at about 1500 RPM and slowly comes down to 700 or so, so forcing to stay at 1500 seems plausible.

NOTE: Holding foot on gas peddle doesn't count.

Is this possible? Not really interested in doing it but more of a can it be done just for the sake of knowing?

 

I'd like to know how to do that too...

 

Nobody huh?

Might not be doable...

 

I'm pretty certain the idle rpm is a controllable setting with in the engine controller. It may have a range limit, but I am sure it could be set higher than the stock setting. I don't know if any current engine programmers (Edge, Hypertech, etc...) offer this as an adjustable setting, but they might be able to add it if you asked them. Would be a good question for Mike Troyer I would think.

That said, I doubt there is any place you could put a switch that would allow you to change the idle speed with one switch position or the other. This would probably require modifying the software of the engine controller itself to watch an input for a voltage change (the switch changing position) and react accordingly. Probably a nearly impossible thing to do for most people, however a piece of cake for those with the knowledge and resources.

Any Ford software engineers on this site?

Just my two cents,
Mike

 

http://www.kussmaul.com/high%20idle%20index.html

 

It's a dealer-installed option on the SD's and any of the chassis-cabs for ambulance or delivery truck duty. It may be possible to retrofit a 150 with one, but I'd be surprised.

The warm-up cycle on an unloaded engine isn't that different when it's idling at 700 versus 1500. You're not going to see any significant difference in warm-up times; it's just going to burn more gas.

-Joe

 

Your profile shows an 04 so go to the dealer and purchase an ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) module for your truck and wire it in to the harness. When you want to control the idle flip the switch and use it to control the engine RPM like a second gas pedal.

JMC

 

Hey there we go...good replies! I agree with the just burn more gas thought.

This was mainly a "can it be done" thread and now with this information it appears yes it can.

I myself am not really interested in doing it but it is good to know that it can be done.

Thanks for the replies!

 

If I had a drive by wire I could use it to speed up the alternator to provide more current to feed battery when using the winch. As it is my 200 amp alternator at idle doesn't provide enough to supply the headlights, break lights and HVAC fan set at full. The head lights dim.

JMC

 

That is a good point! I don't have that kind of load on my battery, but I can see how that would be very beneficial!