Wastegate Actuator (Wake-Up) Noise

[airline tech]

In digging deeper into the noises, the truck makes (Wake-Up) , what I though was the HP Fuel Pump priming is actually the Wastegate Actuator cycling.

On the Wake-Up subject, I did confirm that the periodic wake-up, if standing near truck that some have experienced, it is not the FOB, as I only had my phone on me when it did it, so I have eliminated 1/3 of the possibilities.
1. FOB - Eliminated
2. Phone (Ford Pass - Proximity near truck) as if you are near truck long enough it will repeat a number of times.
3. Phone (Ford Pass - Itself) looking for update on health, tire psi etc - (Not dependent on proximity)

I am highly curious if it does it when the truck is all alone, need camera to monitor - as sometimes I note the parking lights flash along with the uncommented wake-up.

If you have not experienced this little quirk, while working around truck, and the truck comes alive (wakes up) without anyone touching the door handles etc

Now I know that the PCM wake up occurs when opening the driver's door, ignition key or switch cycled, and remote start.

Now the specific question:

I can understand the reason for the HP Fuel Pump (Prime)
But why specifically does the Wastegate Actuator, Cycle?

The only thing I can conclude it does it for the purpose of ensuring. correct position for engine start and also ensures it is not stuck open.
Plus, this cycle will ensure that the wastegate is actuated full cycle (open and closed) as a preventive measure to help prevent sticking.

As far as the noise it makes, since I never paid much attention to it as I always believed it was the fuel pump, now notice the difference between the 2, the HP fuel pump is noisy just after start and then settles down along with the cooling fan.

I believe the (R2D2) sound as some have described it, is the Wastegate Actuator, I confirmed with a Mechanics Stethoscope.
Since I do not have a comparison truck to compare the noise with, is this noise common for all Rangers

Note: The noise can be generated just by opening the driver's door.

Since the manuals and online search does not cover this specific action, I am seeking input from others with Turbo knowledge.
Am I correct on my conclusion?

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[NotBudule]

When I first got mine I was laying under it checking things out , pulling on this , and wiggling that and going "hmmm ?", about that time, it starts making noise and I thought the damn thing had come alive and wanted to run over me ! I rolled out from under there with only minor head injuries ? but was surprised at how fast I can still move , if need be ...

 

[Fordup]

When I first got mine I was laying under it checking things out , pulling on this , and wiggling that and going "hmmm ?", about that time, it starts making noise and I thought the damn thing had come alive and wanted to run over me ! I rolled out from under there with only minor head injuries ? but was surprised at how fast I can still move , if need be ...

Remember that Stephen King movie Christine? A little more AI in them and it can be reality .

Mine actually makes funny noises in the garage with no one near it. My wife's Forester has a motor that comes on and runs close to 1/2 hour when sitting in the garage every couple weeks.

 

[Joeiconic]

In my experience, if I refresh the “vehicle” page in the ford pass app, the vehicle will wake up and make that noise.

 

[Hot Pepper Red Zeppelin]

Christine is not a Spielberg movie.

Duel is a cool Spielberg vehicle centric movie. It's been a while but I'm pretty sure there was dude driving that nasty semi.

 

[Rp930]

In digging deeper into the noises, the truck makes (Wake-Up) , what I though was the HP Fuel Pump priming is actually the Wastegate Actuator cycling.

On the Wake-Up subject, I did confirm that the periodic wake-up, if standing near truck that some have experienced, it is not the FOB, as I only had my phone on me when it did it, so I have eliminated 1/3 of the possibilities.
1. FOB - Eliminated
2. Phone (Ford Pass - Proximity near truck) as if you are near truck long enough it will repeat a number of times.
3. Phone (Ford Pass - Itself) looking for update on health, tire psi etc - (Not dependent on proximity)

I am highly curious if it does it when the truck is all alone, need camera to monitor - as sometimes I note the parking lights flash along with the uncommented wake-up.

If you have not experienced this little quirk, while working around truck, and the truck comes alive (wakes up) without anyone touching the door handles etc

Now I know that the PCM wake up occurs when opening the driver's door, ignition key or switch cycled, and remote start.

Now the specific question:

I can understand the reason for the HP Fuel Pump (Prime)
But why specifically does the Wastegate Actuator, Cycle?

The only thing I can conclude it does it for the purpose of ensuring. correct position for engine start and also ensures it is not stuck open.
Plus, this cycle will ensure that the wastegate is actuated full cycle (open and closed) as a preventive measure to help prevent sticking.

As far as the noise it makes, since I never paid much attention to it as I always believed it was the fuel pump, now notice the difference between the 2, the HP fuel pump is noisy just after start and then settles down along with the cooling fan.

I believe the (R2D2) sound as some have described it, is the Wastegate Actuator, I confirmed with a Mechanics Stethoscope.
Since I do not have a comparison truck to compare the noise with, is this noise common for all Rangers

Note: The noise can be generated just by opening the driver's door.

Since the manuals and online search does not cover this specific action, I am seeking input from others with Turbo knowledge.
Am I correct on my conclusion?

Haven’t checked but wastegate actuator is probably a stepper motor. The cycling is likely part of the calibration.

 

[Fordup]

Christine is not a Spielberg movie.

Duel is a cool Spielberg vehicle centric movie. It's been a while but I'm pretty sure there was dude driving that nasty semi.

Sorry, I meant Stephen King. David Spielberg was only an actor in it.

 

[RedDakooter05]

Even after a year of ownership, it still startles the piss out of me when I'm near it.

Yesterday I was using a box cutter to do some shrink tube trimming and the sob did that to me.

 

[JasonTremor]

You are correct that it is the variable geometry turbo actuator that randomly "exercises" itself. You can visually observe the actuator rod moving from the passenger side wheel well if you have someone else open the driver door for you. I had read somewhere that Ford programmed it to do this to help prevent the mechanical parts from getting stuck in the housing. Since those parts are on the exhaust side of the turbo, it kind of makes sense.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

You are correct that it is the variable geometry turbo actuator that randomly "exercises" itself. You can visually observe the actuator rod moving from the passenger side wheel well if you have someone else open the driver door for you. I had read somewhere that Ford programmed it to do this to help prevent the mechanical parts from getting stuck in the housing. Since those parts are on the exhaust side of the turbo, it kind of makes sense.

Our turbos are not the variable geometry design. Just a electronically actuated waste gate. VG turbos have vanes of various designs that surround the turbine wheel to control wheel speed and exhaust flow. Ours just has a flapper plate that covers a hole in the exhaust housing. This design doesn’t hang up or stick nearly as often as the VG turbo’s do. Ford still may have programmed all their turbo powered vehicles to cycle for that reason.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

In digging deeper into the noises, the truck makes (Wake-Up) , what I though was the HP Fuel Pump priming is actually the Wastegate Actuator cycling.

On the Wake-Up subject, I did confirm that the periodic wake-up, if standing near truck that some have experienced, it is not the FOB, as I only had my phone on me when it did it, so I have eliminated 1/3 of the possibilities.
1. FOB - Eliminated
2. Phone (Ford Pass - Proximity near truck) as if you are near truck long enough it will repeat a number of times.
3. Phone (Ford Pass - Itself) looking for update on health, tire psi etc - (Not dependent on proximity)

I am highly curious if it does it when the truck is all alone, need camera to monitor - as sometimes I note the parking lights flash along with the uncommented wake-up.

If you have not experienced this little quirk, while working around truck, and the truck comes alive (wakes up) without anyone touching the door handles etc

Now I know that the PCM wake up occurs when opening the driver's door, ignition key or switch cycled, and remote start.

Now the specific question:

I can understand the reason for the HP Fuel Pump (Prime)
But why specifically does the Wastegate Actuator, Cycle?

The only thing I can conclude it does it for the purpose of ensuring. correct position for engine start and also ensures it is not stuck open.
Plus, this cycle will ensure that the wastegate is actuated full cycle (open and closed) as a preventive measure to help prevent sticking.

As far as the noise it makes, since I never paid much attention to it as I always believed it was the fuel pump, now notice the difference between the 2, the HP fuel pump is noisy just after start and then settles down along with the cooling fan.

I believe the (R2D2) sound as some have described it, is the Wastegate Actuator, I confirmed with a Mechanics Stethoscope.
Since I do not have a comparison truck to compare the noise with, is this noise common for all Rangers

Note: The noise can be generated just by opening the driver's door.

Since the manuals and online search does not cover this specific action, I am seeking input from others with Turbo knowledge.
Am I correct on my conclusion?

There are many different types of smart actuators for turbo’s. Some very simple ( which ours are) and some very complex. The variable geometry turbo’s being the most complex. And yes they do make some interesting noises when commanded. We had the Cummins/Holset software for bench testing VG turbo actuators. It displayed all kinds of data including graphing of expected and actual positioning of test sweeps. So I imagine OEM’s have a multitude of options available to them for functionality.

 

[CO2Ranger]

In digging deeper into the noises, the truck makes (Wake-Up) , what I though was the HP Fuel Pump priming is actually the Wastegate Actuator cycling.

On the Wake-Up subject, I did confirm that the periodic wake-up, if standing near truck that some have experienced, it is not the FOB, as I only had my phone on me when it did it, so I have eliminated 1/3 of the possibilities.
1. FOB - Eliminated
2. Phone (Ford Pass - Proximity near truck) as if you are near truck long enough it will repeat a number of times.
3. Phone (Ford Pass - Itself) looking for update on health, tire psi etc - (Not dependent on proximity)

I am highly curious if it does it when the truck is all alone, need camera to monitor - as sometimes I note the parking lights flash along with the uncommented wake-up.

If you have not experienced this little quirk, while working around truck, and the truck comes alive (wakes up) without anyone touching the door handles etc

Now I know that the PCM wake up occurs when opening the driver's door, ignition key or switch cycled, and remote start.

Now the specific question:

I can understand the reason for the HP Fuel Pump (Prime)
But why specifically does the Wastegate Actuator, Cycle?

The only thing I can conclude it does it for the purpose of ensuring. correct position for engine start and also ensures it is not stuck open.
Plus, this cycle will ensure that the wastegate is actuated full cycle (open and closed) as a preventive measure to help prevent sticking.

As far as the noise it makes, since I never paid much attention to it as I always believed it was the fuel pump, now notice the difference between the 2, the HP fuel pump is noisy just after start and then settles down along with the cooling fan.

I believe the (R2D2) sound as some have described it, is the Wastegate Actuator, I confirmed with a Mechanics Stethoscope.
Since I do not have a comparison truck to compare the noise with, is this noise common for all Rangers

Note: The noise can be generated just by opening the driver's door.

Since the manuals and online search does not cover this specific action, I am seeking input from others with Turbo knowledge.
Am I correct on my conclusion?

There's actually a setting in FORSCAN to disable the fuel pump priming on door open.

Unfortunately, it still randomly does what you're referring to when the truck is unattended even with this configuration.

 

[Frenchy]

Kinda hard for the High Pressure Fuel pump to prime if the engine isn't running. It's a mechanical pump.

 

[RangerBill]

In digging deeper into the noises, the truck makes (Wake-Up) , what I though was the HP Fuel Pump priming is actually the Wastegate Actuator cycling.

On the Wake-Up subject, I did confirm that the periodic wake-up, if standing near truck that some have experienced, it is not the FOB, as I only had my phone on me when it did it, so I have eliminated 1/3 of the possibilities.
1. FOB - Eliminated
2. Phone (Ford Pass - Proximity near truck) as if you are near truck long enough it will repeat a number of times.
3. Phone (Ford Pass - Itself) looking for update on health, tire psi etc - (Not dependent on proximity)

I am highly curious if it does it when the truck is all alone, need camera to monitor - as sometimes I note the parking lights flash along with the uncommented wake-up.

If you have not experienced this little quirk, while working around truck, and the truck comes alive (wakes up) without anyone touching the door handles etc

Now I know that the PCM wake up occurs when opening the driver's door, ignition key or switch cycled, and remote start.

Now the specific question:

I can understand the reason for the HP Fuel Pump (Prime)
But why specifically does the Wastegate Actuator, Cycle?

I am not understanding the High Pressure fuel pump prime. It is mechanically driven off of the camshaft, so how can it prime without the engine running? Are you referring to the low pressure fuel pump in the tank?

 

[CO2Ranger]

Remember that Spielberg movie Christine? A little more AI in them and it can be reality .

Mine actually makes funny noises in the garage with no one near it. My wife's Forester has a motor that comes on and runs close to 1/2 hour when sitting in the garage every couple weeks.

The Forester is a fuel system check. Happens about 5 hours after turning the vehicle off if I remember correctly. All vehicles have their quirks!

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