Starting & Block Heater
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Starting & Block Heater
Hi Fellow Ford Fans!
Question for you all - I have a 1988 Ford Bronco II - everything works great except in the spring/winter/fall unless the block heater is plugged in the Bronco won't start. Has anyone else run into this? It's temperature related I'm guessing because in summer it starts fine. When it gets between below +10 celcius it needs to be plugged in. When it hasn't be plugged in it won't usually start for about 4-5 hours. It's frustrating! Any ideas?
Thanks - Zack
Question for you all - I have a 1988 Ford Bronco II - everything works great except in the spring/winter/fall unless the block heater is plugged in the Bronco won't start. Has anyone else run into this? It's temperature related I'm guessing because in summer it starts fine. When it gets between below +10 celcius it needs to be plugged in. When it hasn't be plugged in it won't usually start for about 4-5 hours. It's frustrating! Any ideas?
Thanks - Zack
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
From: Racine county, WI
Hi Zack! Welcome to the club. Sounds like a simple battery or even a starter problem. I have a half dead 2.9 and it still started with easy, parked outside when it was -20 celcuis for a couple days this winter.
I would start with the battery. Take it out and have it tested at Autozone or Advance Auto for free. If you take it out they have a great bench test that will tell you for sure the condition of the battery. Sometimes if the charge is low you will have to leave it for up to 45min. If that checks out good then pull the starter and get that bench tested. It might be worn and not turning like it should.
Good Luck
I would start with the battery. Take it out and have it tested at Autozone or Advance Auto for free. If you take it out they have a great bench test that will tell you for sure the condition of the battery. Sometimes if the charge is low you will have to leave it for up to 45min. If that checks out good then pull the starter and get that bench tested. It might be worn and not turning like it should.
Good Luck
Last edited by IB Tim; Mar 12, 2006 at 06:40 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
You should not have a starting problem in the cold, especially with the 2.9. I have had the most ratted out 2.8L and various 2.9L and they started even when it was 0 F outside.
I agree, probably a bad battery, maybe bad cables. People never check the cables, but, if they are bad enough they can drop many volts and amps and make starting difficult in cold weather.
I agree, probably a bad battery, maybe bad cables. People never check the cables, but, if they are bad enough they can drop many volts and amps and make starting difficult in cold weather.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
From: Racine county, WI
Originally Posted by kernel-panic
Possibly bad battery / starter... but has anyone thought that maybe the coolant isn't the right mix and the engine is freezing up? Just a thought... no offense 
