hard starts
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
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hard starts
hey guys im hoping you could help me figure out whats going on! its been cold up here (shocker) and my truck is having a real hard time starting. as in the batteries have died twice trying to start her. its only been at most -20 C here and i have started the truck no problem at -30 before. so i have no idea whats going on.
i have (to my knowledge) the latest flash, and i use winter additives. and when i finally get her going, it looks like im burning down an oil refinery for about 5 minutes ahha
i have (to my knowledge) the latest flash, and i use winter additives. and when i finally get her going, it looks like im burning down an oil refinery for about 5 minutes ahha
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
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so finally gave in and made the long drive to the dealer. turns out the FICM was toast and was replaced under warranty. drives and starts like a dream now. is there anything i should keep my eye on interms of possible damage from that faulty FICM?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
An ODBII gauge that lets you read voltage would
let you keep an eye on things.
When the glow plugs are on, the alternator does NOT
charge. When real cold the glow plugs can stay on for
2 minutes (the wait-to-start light doesn't indicate they are on or off). I can tell when my alternator is charging or not by watching the voltage on my ODBII gauge.
my volts are 11.6 to 11.8 when GP on, 13.8 when GP off.
So if you put on the electric seat heaters, defrosters, head lights (DRL in Can), etc. you are drawing the
voltage down even more.
Make sure your alternator and batteries are in top shape.
In extreme cold the batteries will have low volts to start with, and low voltage will kill the FICM (again?).
Weak and/or old batteries overwork the alternator which then may fail. Later if you get new batteries the now tired alternator may not keep them fully charged and the cycle repeats (FICM, batteries, alternator)
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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cold starts
hello, so just replaced the batts on my 03 . was having a hard time starting. did the ficm repair helped but not alot. i installed the motorcraft batteries BSD 65 with 850cca each. she fired up like never before! $324.00 well wotrh it.
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