Cold start problems...

[Dre]

For the past few days I have noticed very rough cold starts of my 1998 Sport (SOHC).... choke seems not to be kicking in for the first minute or two. Truck simply dies and is very hard to keep alive. . . . on top of that "Check engine" light came on and stays on. Is it some kind of sensor or choke went to sleep?

WTF?

thanks guys,

 

[aldive]

Do a scan and let us know the trouble code.

 

[Dre]

first I need to do a search about scanning.... will let you know.

thanks,

 

[Robert]

Uhmm Dre, surely in your 3 1/2 years here and 1770 posts you must have came across the words ONP 00M12 or IAC? If not, try searching for them. Either one of them could be the culprit. I would start with the 00M12 since that is the one that will be covered by Ford for free if you have less than 72K miles.

 

[Dre]

Do have some experiance but never had any problems with my Sport. It's a 98 with only 44k miles.... maybe that's the problem... I should probably drive it more often and over some rough terrain if possible. Under the hood of my former truck (94 Un-Limited) I new every bolt and wire but here... I just opened it a week ago to replace the battery.... even oil changes are done by Ford. See what I become! I got to stop that! It's too darn cold now here in Chi-town but as soon as the temps go up a bit I'm gonna run a thorough check on this baby.... and perhaps install the lift blocks I still have laying around and get some other goodies too but for now... I'm staying in front of my fireplace.... darn winter!

 

[mikeh]

Oh those cold Chicago winters.

10 to 1 it's the 00M12 problem. Get it fixed by Ford right now.

Here is a link to what Ford will do to fix it.

Dead Link Removed

mikeh

 

[jpb3302]

Mike - contacted my dealer service dept and he had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned my problem and the TSB #, all he said was I would have to bring it in for a check. Problem is, I don't want to have to pay for them to hook it up to the computer. Any suggestions?

 

[Robert]

Call the Ford 800 number in the back of your Owner's Guide. It is also available at their web-site. I think it is (800) 362-FORD (not positive on the 362 though). They'll ask for your VIN. As long as 00M12 hasn't been recorded as being done on your Explorer they will give you the option of telling them which dealer you would like to take it to. They will then call the dealer and set you up with an appointment to investigate the problem. This is how I got mine fixed. The dealer called me back to set up an appointment time. A friend just did this a couple of weeks ago and this time the Customer Care deparment didn't call his dealer (according to the dealer) so you may still have to call the dealer yourself. Unfortunately, if you want to get it fixed by Ford for free, you will have to risk paying for a diagnostics fee if the problem turns out to be something else. If they can verify the problems in 00M12 exist then they will be fixed at no charge. It all depends on how badly you want it fixed versus your reluctance to pay them a diagnostics fee. I was kind of in the same situation. I diagnosed mine myself using their procedure before taking it to Ford. I confirmed that my o-rings were leaking so I was reasonably confident that they wouldn't charge me (and they didn't).

 

[Dre]

I would be reluctant though..... stealer may "find" something else wrong and replace that too and charge you for it. The only time I took my truck to the dealer was for a recall fix of a rear liftgate (and oil changes).

Can an Autozone free CEL check work before taking it to the dealer?

 

[Robert]

Getting the codes pulled by Autozone for free would go a long ways towards determining what the problem is. If they pull a P0171 or P0174 or both, then those are the two codes that will show up when your o-ring leak gets bad enough to turn your CEL on.

 

[Dre]

that's why I like the free stuff so much...

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by Robert
Uhmm Dre, surely in your 3 1/2 years here and 1770 posts you must have came across the words ONP 00M12 or IAC?

I guess Dre's been too busy Exploring Everything Under the Sun all this time.....

 

[Dre]

I admit it now... ever since I sold my Un-Limited I have drifted away more and more every day. I have made some bad decisions... I know but now I'm a changed man and therefore I bag you for forgivenes!!! I have been lost for far too long! please!

 

[honeylgh]

cold start

Did you ever get a reply to the cold start. I thought it was my fuel pump going bad. I changed it and am still having problems. Im hoping I dont have an electrical problem!! HNLee

 

[Dre]

no, nothing yet..... I'll go to the Autozone to have them check why CEL is on.... I don't think it's fuel pump since everything seems to be in order after running for about a minute..... CEL is on and after cold starts choke does not engage...
will let you know,

 

[jpb3302]

FIXED!!!

I dropped my car off at the Ford Dealership yesterday and asked that they address the 00M12 recall. Sure enough the car started like a charm this morning (was 19 degrees outside), went right up to about 1500 rpms and stayed there with no sputtering at all. Fix was free since it was under 72,000.

 

[Dre]

heck...I got no damn time to even take it to the Autozone to have them scan it... I might just take it to the dealer and tell them to take care of the recall as I only have 45000 miles on it...

 

[Dre]

Update.... called the dealer... told them about the problem and got appointment. They really got me going when I went there though... told me it might not be the recall at all.... I agree, it might of been something else.... but it was not! I pick the truck up and the CEL is out and it starts and runs perfect... 00M12 did it.

thanks all for kind words...and keep your trucks away from the dealership service bays... if possible.

all the best!