No power until engine warms up. What's wrong?

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Nov 25, 2007 | 10:00 AM

#16

rebelchevy02

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Joined: May 2006

Posts: 2,274

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From: Milroy, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyard4

The long and short of it is that this only happens when it gets cold outside. It has nothing to do with the Viper because I don't even use it any more because of this so I start it manualy and the problem still happens. There is nothing more I can tell you other than what I have posted already. If you read everything I posted or even just my first post you will see all that happens with the problem and all the questions I have asked. It cranks over fine, I just have to hold the gas peddle down for it to start and stay running until it warms up. I don't care what anyone says, this is not normal.

The reason I even asked about your viper, was to see if it even gave the glow plugs a chance to work, before trying to start the truck. Never once did I say that this was a normal condition. I asked some general maintanence questions. How am I to know, that your truck has had any kind of maintanence. Not everyone does correct maintanence on their trucks. Ive seen vehicles, at 100k that have never had a single oil change. Oil condition can effectively make for hard starting on these trucks, especially when cold. The truck uses oil to make the injectors work. The people here who are willing to help, cannot see or hear your truck, which is why its very important to give alot of details. So far you have told us that your truck has had oil changes every 3k, (after we asked) and that it wont start unless you give it pedal when its cold out, youved changed the gpr, and it hasnt done this the last 5 years youve owned it.

You need to check the GPR and be 100% certain that when you turn the key forward, it turns on. YES I know you changed it out, but verify that it is turning on the terminal to the glow plugs..... Another thing to do, would be to turn the key forward, wait for the "wait to start light" to go out, and turn the key off, and do it a second time. YES I know, that should not be necesary, but this is a diagnostic step that we need you to do..... This could verify that your glow plugs could possibly be weak, or that you should make sure the terminals are clean on the GPR. 113k is not a terribly high mileage. We have my 02, at 160k, another 02 at 180k, a 02 with 170k, an early 99 with 220k. Not one of them have I had to replace glow plugs, but everyone I have had to replace the GPR, and while I was there, I made sure the terminals were cleaned, and then sealed with battery terminal sealer.

Glow plugs use alot of current to work, any corrosion in the connection to them will reduce the amount of current to them, and therefore reduce their effectiveness.

Go through 2 or three "wait to start" cycles, dont use the pedal, and tell us what happens.