Uh oh...

[laneo9417]

Blizzard conditions here in MA right now, not to mention temps close to zero (wind chills close to -10)...

My '98 Ex wouldn't start this morning, first time it has done that in the 1.5 years I've owned it. It's don't think it's the battery - every light worked as normal, plus the battery itself is only a little over a year old. The truck has started just fine other cold mornings with similar temps but not today. It cranked a few times but just didn't want to turn over. I tried starting it 4 or 5times but no luck. It has roughly half a tank of gas in it right now and relatively fresh oil (last changed in November). Full tune up done in November 2012. I'm hoping this is an isolated incident due to the conditions and I plan on trying again later today when it "warms up" outside, but what do the experts here think? Any bigger issues I could be facing here? Does the extreme cold affect the starter, altenator, etc?

 

[DjDom]

I wouldn't worry too much.
Mine starts right up in the Cold, but it's used to it..
If it's cranking, the battery, and starter are fine.

The engine is probably really cold and the oil isn't circulating yet.
Just take it easy and it'll start up.

 

[drdoom]

I am no authority, but I believe extreme cold mostly affects the battery. Can you check the fuel pressure? Can you hear the pump run when the key is turned to run?

 

[laneo9417]

I am no authority, but I believe extreme cold mostly affects the battery. Can you check the fuel pressure? Can you hear the pump run when the key is turned to run?

Yea the fuel pump turned on, on cold mornings I usually put the key to the on position and make sure everything turns on before I turn it over to run. I'm hoping it's just the battery being cold, although like I said it's not that old. Going to give it another hour or two before I try again. Updates to follow.

 

[Prestigun]

Hmm, it wouldn't be the oil as I live in Calgary and my Ex starts up in -35 c without a block heater. I would pull the fuel pump relay and pull the negative battery cable for 20-30 minutes. let everything reset and fire her back up.

 

[koda2000]

it could be you have a little water in your fuel tank and it froze, preventing the pump from picking up fuel. try adding a bottle (or 2) of Heet. what weight oil are you using?

 

[SoNic67]

A worn fuel pump can be affected by extreme cold. The springs that push the worn brushes onto collector contract so much because of low temp, that there is no more contact.

Also, battery might be new, but if the alternator wasn't charging it correctly (14.2V) then it won't give the full Cold Crank Amps. If the engine turns slower, it won't create the needed higher compression to start at cold.

 

[laneo9417]

So some good news and bad news...

I disconnected the battery and pulled the fuel pump fuse for a bit then hooked it back up and tried starting - same result as my first post. I then tried one more time and turned the key and gave it a bit of gas and she fired right up. I let it warm up for a good 15-20 mins (it was idling fine) then took it for a ride around town including a quick run on the highway with no issues. I pulled back into my driveway and shut it off and ran inside for a minute. I came back out and the truck started fine and I backed out of my driveway. As I got into the street and shifted into drive from reverse it stalled. I popped it in park and started it up again and it was fine until about a mile down the road when I came to a red light and the rpms dropped to about 300 and it eventually stalled out again. It started again but then stalled again about 2 minutes later as I pulled into a parking lot. I started it one more time and made it home (right around the corner). I called my mechanic and arranged to bring it to the shop. On the ride to the shop the truck ran fine, no idling issues at red lights, no stalling, no abnormalities.

Bad fuel pump? IAC or some sort of valve? I'm pretty baffled.:scratch: I understand it was very cold last night but this truck has never failed me in the cold before.

 

[laneo9417]

Also, one more thing to add: I have about a 1/4 tank of gas, not a 1/2 tank as I previously stated

 

[Dave 1955]

Could have been some ice in the fuel lines?

 

[Turdle]

I think the IAC valve is sticking. I bet if you clean it real good, the problem will go away.

How does the cooalnt level look in the radiator? Allow it to cool before removing the cap.

 

[laneo9417]

I think the IAC valve is sticking. I bet if you clean it real good, the problem will go away.

How does the cooalnt level look in the radiator? Allow it to cool before removing the cap.

Would the IAC cause the starting problem? I checked the coolant level this morning when I popped the hood and it was a bit below the minimum level but nothing alarming

 

[bill06447]

As is written in that paper thing hidden away in the glovebox, sometimes called an "owners manual"...should give it some throttle while cranking when you're down around zero. One problem solved. The second problem you caused by disconnecting the battery. Once again, as outlined in that "owners manual" now you need to give the truck a few days to relearn all the parameters you erased...

(Am I the only one who has ever read that "owners manual" thing?)

Bill

 

[JimMadsen]

Just a bit south of you in Hartford. Leaving work today and my 2000 mounty hesitated to start. I am sure it is battery being cold. Mine is about 2 years old and I just had it and starter tested at autozone (yeah I know, they probably screwed it up)

Once running it went fine. As for other issues, I think Bill is right. Also clean out the IAC.

And Bill, I thought that was emergency kindling..... or at the least bathroom material.

 

[laneo9417]

As is written in that paper thing hidden away in the glovebox, sometimes called an "owners manual"...should give it some throttle while cranking when you're down around zero. One problem solved. The second problem you caused by disconnecting the battery. Once again, as outlined in that "owners manual" now you need to give the truck a few days to relearn all the parameters you erased...

(Am I the only one who has ever read that "owners manual" thing?)

Bill

I understand that after disconnecting the battery the truck needs to relearn various things...I was just surprised that the stalling occured after the truck warmed up for 15 minutes and ran fine around town and on the highway for another 20.

 

[bill06447]

And Bill, I thought that was emergency kindling..... or at the least bathroom material.

LOL as my Mustang's owners manual is under the bathroom sink

Bill

 

[laneo9417]

Just a quick update:

It turns out my issue was a faulty IAC (the 17 year old original). My mechanic said the fuel pressure is good and that the fuel pump is ok (knock on wood). They installed a new IAC and I had no issues starting up or driving this morning with temps in the single digits. I actually noticed the truck ran smoother, more specifically it shifted smoother and more timely. Before in the 40-45mph range (4th gear?) it would hesitate to upshift and run at 2000+ rpms before finally upshifting, but this morning it definitely upshifted quicker and I was crusing at 45 in the 1500rpm range. Does the IAC affect shifting in this way?