Cold Start Issues
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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Cold Start Issues
Basics: 2002 F150, 5.4L 60K
Issue #1 has been there for a while. Although it scared the crap out of me the first time, I got used to it, but wouldn't mind getting it fixed. When the outside temp is cold 50*F or less, the oil/ water light comes on and the oil pressure gauge bottoms out. The colder it is outside, the more often it does it. It will click back on and off a few times. Sometimes I think I can hear a click under the dash, but it might just be my mind.
Issue # 2 just happened for the first time. Ususally fires right up and goes to 1100 rpm or so and slowly drops. This time it went to 1100 and about a 1/2 second later it dropped to 200. It didn't shudder but barely ran. I shut it off and cycled the key and gave it another try, this time it just idled at 200-300 until I goosed it to 2000 and it acted normal after that.
Any one want to tackle these?
Issue #1 has been there for a while. Although it scared the crap out of me the first time, I got used to it, but wouldn't mind getting it fixed. When the outside temp is cold 50*F or less, the oil/ water light comes on and the oil pressure gauge bottoms out. The colder it is outside, the more often it does it. It will click back on and off a few times. Sometimes I think I can hear a click under the dash, but it might just be my mind.
Issue # 2 just happened for the first time. Ususally fires right up and goes to 1100 rpm or so and slowly drops. This time it went to 1100 and about a 1/2 second later it dropped to 200. It didn't shudder but barely ran. I shut it off and cycled the key and gave it another try, this time it just idled at 200-300 until I goosed it to 2000 and it acted normal after that.
Any one want to tackle these?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 432
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From: Whitman MASS
#1 have you flushed the fluid or replaced the thermostat. Same thing happend to my dads 4L ranger. after they replaced the thermostate it was fixed. I dont know about the oil.??????
#2 I am not a mechanic but my bronco with a 5L did the same thing. It was the fuel injectors, they were leaking and flooding the engine after sitting overnight. I dont know if this is your problem. Did the check engine light come on??? if so get the error codes from some one.
#2 I am not a mechanic but my bronco with a 5L did the same thing. It was the fuel injectors, they were leaking and flooding the engine after sitting overnight. I dont know if this is your problem. Did the check engine light come on??? if so get the error codes from some one.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I would try cleaning the IAC on the throttlebody first. It sounds like it mat be gummed up and sticking.
As for the oil pressure thing, I would first check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge.
Then I would replace the sending unit and see if the problem goes away.
Jimmy
As for the oil pressure thing, I would first check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge.
Then I would replace the sending unit and see if the problem goes away.
Jimmy
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 778
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I would watch for a sticking idle control solienoid. Sometimes you can clean them, sometimes not. If you clean it, keep the cleaner out of the electrical end of the valve. They dont always set a code if they are bad as well. good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 772
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From: White Sands, NM
Ah, it's that time of the year again isn't it? You'll start seeing this cold start problem come up a lot on here. Most often it's traceable to a lazy IAC. The part will run you about $70 bucks and it's one of the easiest installs you'll ever do. Two bolts hold it onto the throttle body.