cold weather
cold weather
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From: milton de.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Richmond BC
battery dieing ???
might have enuf juice to spin the motor but perhaps it isnt giving quite enuf for the rest of the electrical system..
have u tried jumping it when its cold and wont fire. ???
might have enuf juice to spin the motor but perhaps it isnt giving quite enuf for the rest of the electrical system..
have u tried jumping it when its cold and wont fire. ???
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burnsville, MN
I'd verify with the engine running that you are getting 13.5 volts at the battery, indicating the alternator is working okay. If so, you might try hitting various parts like plug connections or the PCM, etc., with warm air from a hair dryer to isolate the intermittent.
Of course if you don't get 13.5 volts, you have a battery/alternator/regulator problem, assuming you don't have some after market gizmo that's draining your battery overnight....?
Of course if you don't get 13.5 volts, you have a battery/alternator/regulator problem, assuming you don't have some after market gizmo that's draining your battery overnight....?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Try pushing on the go-pedal slightly, like 1/2 to 1 inch down. See if it fires. If it does, change the IAC
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Junior User
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From: California
What is the IAC? Owe and is there any definitions chart for the abbreviations around here?
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From: Long Island USA
IAC = Idle Air Control.
It's a valve the the computer controls that bypasses the throttle plate to raise or lower the idle. If it's stuck, the computer can't raise the idle when it gets cold out, and it won't start.
It's a valve the the computer controls that bypasses the throttle plate to raise or lower the idle. If it's stuck, the computer can't raise the idle when it gets cold out, and it won't start.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Gilbert
My 10 cringes at the fact that it has to start in the mornings. It's been brutally cold (for me) here in western PA this month (temps ranging from single digits to freezing) and my truck just doesn't want to start. I have to let it crank for a few seconds before it finally kicks over (then proceeds to make this god-awful wining noise for about 15secs). In the non-winter months, truck starts fine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: North Dakota
You guys have yet to actually test your trucks when it comes to cold weather starting. Latley we've been seeing air temps in the -20*F to -40*F range with windchill approaching -60 to -70! If you want to here engines make some gawdawfull noise just come up to ND for a winter or two. I respect the cold, but if you're haveing any problems with engines cold starting even to about -10*F you've got other problems that are causing the hard starting! of my last 7 vehicles I have yet to have one that wouldn't start to -20*F with no assistance from heaters or chargers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burnsville, MN
Have to agree there. Every so often I'll have to start a vehicle in -20 weather without the benefit of a block heater or a blanket. Except for the "god-awful whining noise for about 15 seconds", they start just fine with no extended cranking or whatever. I don't even generally plug my vehicles in above zero, so in my own experience, I can't confirm any inherent starting problems that are "normal" when the temps are above zero.....
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Gilbert
-60-70??? No thanks! I'm from AZ and every year about a month into the PA winter, I'm checked out and ready for spring/summer.
Anyways, maybe I'll chuck a new battery in it. I've been using the same battery for about 3-4 years now (1yr consists of an AZ summer). My truck is in dire need of a tune-up too, just been putting it off. New ball joints (Moog's, niiiiiiice) used up my tune-up fund this past year.
As always, appreciate the advice/info.
Anyways, maybe I'll chuck a new battery in it. I've been using the same battery for about 3-4 years now (1yr consists of an AZ summer). My truck is in dire need of a tune-up too, just been putting it off. New ball joints (Moog's, niiiiiiice) used up my tune-up fund this past year.
As always, appreciate the advice/info.