Awkardly long cold starting
#1
Awkardly long cold starting
When it's super cold out (less than 10 degrees) my truck cranks incredibly slow to the point where I think it won't start. I've had it through nasty winters before and it wasn't this bad. The plugs were changed within the last 3 years and have less than 20k miles on them, battery is only a year old, and I'm running 5w-30. Is there anything else simple enough to check over before digging deeper into this situation?
#2
Slow cranking is directly related to the battery. Winter vs Summer temperatures can reduce your battery's performance by 1/2 or more. If your battery is already weak, the cold can render it nearly useless. A typical battery for our truck will produce 400-500 cranking amps are zero degrees (CCA). At 70 degrees, that battery will produce over 800 cranking amps, nearly double. Couple that with the oil being more dense which requires more work to turn the engine over.
if it really has to crank that long, your battery is probably on its way out.
if it really has to crank that long, your battery is probably on its way out.
#4
#5
First thing to do is have your battery load tested. If it is ok, you need to check the current draw of your starter. If it has shorted windings, it will crank slow, and the current draw will be very high.
For measuring the starter current draw, you will need an inductive current meter, similar to these:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
For measuring the starter current draw, you will need an inductive current meter, similar to these:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
#7
#10
A good simple battery check when it isnt so cold is to turn you headlight on for 5 minutes without turning the engine on, then try to start it, if it starts ur good to go for winter.
If all else fails and you dont want to buy a new battery then just plug it in when its cold :P . Since it is starting to get colder here now thats what i do, helps it warm up the heater faster too!
If all else fails and you dont want to buy a new battery then just plug it in when its cold :P . Since it is starting to get colder here now thats what i do, helps it warm up the heater faster too!
#11
The battery cables and connections are all good. I suppose I could try testing the starter as mentioned. However I got a new starter and starter soleniod about 2 years ago and haven't had any real issues since.
Still fires up just fine when its above 20-30 degrees. So I'm leaning torwards the battery. It's a semi new battery but I believe this is the first winter with it. It's just a cheap one I got at autozone..
#14
I wouldn't rule the cables out so easily. You can't always see the problem. Earlier this winter I had problems, cables looked perfect from the outside, cut off the casing and completely black and corroded. I know on my work trucks, we have to clean the terminals a couple times a year to keep them running.
#15
I wouldn't rule the cables out so easily. You can't always see the problem. Earlier this winter I had problems, cables looked perfect from the outside, cut off the casing and completely black and corroded. I know on my work trucks, we have to clean the terminals a couple times a year to keep them running.
#16
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I hate the cold start ups. Makes me feel like my truck wont see the spring ahah. Do you guys start up and let it sit a few minutes to get the fluids moving and warmed up? Also plugging in the truck overnight how much electricity would that use? I dont want my mom to flip because the next bill is outrageously high.
#18
I hate the cold start ups. Makes me feel like my truck wont see the spring ahah. Do you guys start up and let it sit a few minutes to get the fluids moving and warmed up? Also plugging in the truck overnight how much electricity would that use? I dont want my mom to flip because the next bill is outrageously high.
Anytime it's below 40F I *usually* let it warm up for a minute or ten. I know its no longer "needed" on modern cars. But warming the cab, windows, powersteering fluid, tranny fluid, brake fluid, ect.. all make the car/truck just work easier.
I don't know about lugging it in?
Rich
#20
#21
Rich
#22
I hate the cold start ups. Makes me feel like my truck wont see the spring ahah. Do you guys start up and let it sit a few minutes to get the fluids moving and warmed up? Also plugging in the truck overnight how much electricity would that use? I dont want my mom to flip because the next bill is outrageously high.
Depending on the cost of power in your area and how long you have it plugged in it will show up on your bill. Its ideal to have it on a timer that turns on a few hours before you have to drive to work, you don't need it on all night however mine is.
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Depending on the cost of power in your area and how long you have it plugged in it will show up on your bill. Its ideal to have it on a timer that turns on a few hours before you have to drive to work, you don't need it on all night however mine is.
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