V10 doesn't start in the cold
 

itHi Guys1

First post here, so be gentle...

I have an 2000 F250 Super Crew V10 with a weird problem. It always starts great in the garage in the morning. But lately it doesn't start after work when it sits in the cold all day. I'm in South Dakota, so cold is from 10 degrees to -20 below zero. Here the odd twist. When it won't start, I here a click when I turn the key, like the starter is trying to engage. If I turn the key to the start position, I can start it by jumping across the starter relay with my Gerber. So I replaced the relay with the $40.00 Ford "recommended" version of a starter soleniod.

I still have the problem. Tonight I couldn't get it to start by jumping the relay with the key on. Just to try something different, I turned the key off and jumped the relay. The starter rolled over, but of course didn't start. I put the key in the start position, jumped the relay, and the truck started.

Another observation: it seems like the wipers run slow.

The battery is new in October of 2007.

Ideas???

Thanks!

Tim

Check your cables and battery terminals. It sounds like you are not getting enough voltage to the solenoid to engage the starter. Arctic cold weather will sap a battery of it's energy very fast, even a new one will lose over 1/2 of it's capacity in extreme cold weather. If any of the cables or terminals are marginal, you can easily bring the fall under the voltage needed to start your truck.