Random Cold Start Issue

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Nov 26, 2015 | 10:04 AM

acf6

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Joined: Aug 2010

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From: Manchester, CT

Random Cold Start Issue

Been putting off making a thread about this in hopes i could figure it out...but no luck so far. My truck has been giving me a hard time starting some mornings..but not always. The problem is that i can go outside, wait for glow plug light to go off, and fire it over...and it'll crank fast for 1-2 seconds and then crank really weak sounding and it wont fire. Doesnt matter how long you hold the key it wont fire. Turn key off, try again...starts instantly. The voltage drops to 10 when this happens, on a normal start it usually doesnt go below 11.3 or so.

Within the last 5000 miles i have:
-new set of ford glow plugs and 1 harness (other harness was new last year)
-fresh valvoline 5-40 oil and motorcraft filter
-fuel filters
-brought batteries back to ford and had them tested, passed with flying colors
-FICM reads strong at 48-48.5v key off and running
-Alternator is strong, always run around 14v
-No codes

Could this be a starter issue or something? its so intermittent i forget about it because its good for a few days, then it'll happen one morning when i dont pay attention and i forget to look at any scangauge values i have. Always starts fine hot, just cold has been giving me an issue. Any ideas?

Nov 26, 2015 | 10:15 AM

acf6

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From: Manchester, CT

It was 22* when i took this video...it sounded for sure like it wasnt going to start and i was amazed when it did. You can hear the cranking slow down

Nov 26, 2015 | 10:42 AM

mustang_309

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: South Weber, Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by acf6

It was 22* when i took this video...it sounded for sure like it wasnt going to start and i was amazed when it did. You can hear the cranking slow down

6.0 cold start - YouTube

The system volts were 10.7 before you hit the starter, I'm thinking the batteries while testing good may not have sufficient CCA when they are old. What do the volts drop to while cranking?

Nov 26, 2015 | 10:45 AM

acf6

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From: Manchester, CT

Yeah I'm still thinking it could be batteries, just didn't want to buy new ones again these are only 2 years old. Voltage drops to 10 while cranking which seems way too low

Nov 26, 2015 | 11:23 AM

bismic

Fleet Owner

Joined: Nov 2003

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I have recently experienced an issue w/ a local dealership's testing of batteries in a 7.3L. Both batteries were 2 years old and under warranty. The dealership tested them and said they were both good. Didn't believe them and took them to a local battery / alternator shop that we deal with at work - one load tested bad, the other was weak. replaced them and the starting issues were resolved. Not saying all Ford dealerships are the same way by any means, but I no longer trust this particular dealership. I will drive 15-20 miles to another one to do business when I can't do it through Internet businesses like AutoNation White Bear Lake.

You still might have another issue, but I would find another place to load test the batteries.

Nov 26, 2015 | 12:34 PM

Bently_Coop

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Joined: Mar 2013

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From: Kent Station, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by acf6

Yeah I'm still thinking it could be batteries, just didn't want to buy new ones again these are only 2 years old. Voltage drops to 10 while cranking which seems way too low

These should have a 36 month warranty by

correct?

Nov 26, 2015 | 02:52 PM

acf6

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From: Manchester, CT

They do but they tested fine so they won't do anything about it

My dealer is really good and the parts guys always give me good deals and he was like even if ones questionable we will replace them for you... He gave me all the test slips, all were fine but Idk