Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Will Not Start When Temp is Below 45

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2017 | 06:08 PM
  #16  
farmallmta's Avatar
farmallmta
Mountain Pass
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 10
No start due to no spark or stuck choke when cold, starts and runs fine when warmer... basic troubleshooting:

Get a mild heat source like a hair dryer and point it at various components until individually warmed, try starting after each item. When the truck starts, you've found your trouble source. For what it's worth, a worn ignition switch can cause this issue. The contacts inside are spring loaded. Worn switches when cold will not make contact, usually on the "run" circuit, but occasionally the "start" circuit. The hair dryer held on the starter switch will expand the springs if they are overly-contracted or the contacts are overly worn. This technique helps you easily find or rule out the switch as well as other components. Be sure to not be in an ambient temperature-increasing situation like morning headed towards midday, since you can be thwarted by natural warming of the components. Also, don't put the vehicle into a heated building during troubleshooting for the same reason.

Credit where credit is due to my father who was a mechanic/flight engineer/top turret gunner on B-17s during WWII. He was trained in this problem and an emergency technique taught to them was to warm components with their heated bunny suit gloves, and even their bare hands and breath if no other heat source was available. Nearly 36 years later as a 16 yr old I was at the farm in extreme North Missouri on super cold winter day and the '67 F100 would turn over great, but not start. I called him at his architectural office in Kansas City and described the problem to him. Sitting there in his warm office he calmly and in precise B-17 repair manual technical terms (Switch, ignition, dash mounted) guided me through the components most likely to cause the problem, including the ignition switch. After I warmed it with my hand, VROOM, voila, problem found! Thanks, again, Pop, after all these years. RIP... Darned freshly cut onions. Misting my eyes up again.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
T diesel
6.2L V8
45
Jan 9, 2017 05:11 PM
daddykitty
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Nov 12, 2012 10:50 PM
Tom
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Dec 14, 2010 07:15 AM
61 uni
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Aug 17, 2007 12:23 PM
bkles
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jan 5, 2004 02:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:15 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE