Cold weather starting issues
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4wd Low
Joined: Sep 2017
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Cold weather starting issues
Happy new year all. I live in central Florida and the weather is colder that usual. When I got to start my 99 ranger up it has been having a little difficulty and once it does start it will idle rough for about 10 seconds and then it’s fine. My family owns mainly diesel trucks so that not uncommon in the winter for us. This is my first winter with this truck and so this is new to me. I might plug the block heater in tonight and see if it makes a difference tomorrow morning.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
Before pugging in a block heater, Scan the computer in this puppy for trouble code clues & post All code Numbers, as they can help focus your trouble shoot.
The block heater may muddy the water, as the computer sensing water temp is warm, will likely want to lean out the air fuel ratio on the morning start, so that might make the start more difficult, with cold/more dense air & a leaner mixture.
Seeing as how its a 99, how many miles & have the upstream O2 sensors been changed out? If not & the heaters, or the O2 sensors switching range & speed have slowed, then that can aggravate a cold start.
Lots of unknowns, so any trouble code clues would be helpful in focusing a trouble shoot.
The block heater may muddy the water, as the computer sensing water temp is warm, will likely want to lean out the air fuel ratio on the morning start, so that might make the start more difficult, with cold/more dense air & a leaner mixture.
Seeing as how its a 99, how many miles & have the upstream O2 sensors been changed out? If not & the heaters, or the O2 sensors switching range & speed have slowed, then that can aggravate a cold start.
Lots of unknowns, so any trouble code clues would be helpful in focusing a trouble shoot.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
I had a 98 with the 3.0 that had the same issues that you are describing. I live in Northern Maine where temps can go well below zero and its not uncommon for them to stay there for several weeks. One of the things that I did was check the fuel pressure at the rail with the key on and engine off. When cold, it would only build up about 15 psi but I found that if I cycled the key on and off several times before trying to start it, it would gradually make it to 45 psi, at which point it would start and run. After it was running, the fuel pressure maintained 60 psi, even under a load. Further investigation showed that it was likely a faulty fuel pressure regulator and on my truck the regulartor was part of the fuel pump. I didnt want to take the tank out or remove the bed so I ran it that way for 2 or 3 years at which point I gave the truck to my brother. The little truck had 272K on the clock and, as far as I know, is still running.
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