Hard Cold Start

[Graya25]

Up here in New England, it's been a very cold and snowy winter so far, which my truck doesn't seem to care for too much. When I start it up in the morning (which is usually in the 20s), it takes a long time for the engine to turn over. After a while it begins to sputter then finally turns over. When the engine is running however, there are no problems with it whatsoever and it runs like a champ.

 

Theories I've heard about this problem so far:

1. Distributor worn out (which doesn't seem likely)

2. Fuel Pump not generating enough pressure (which seems more likely)

 

I think this has something to do with the fuel pump taking a while to build up sufficient pressure, but I'm not sure of it. Rockauto has some decent prices on fuel pumps if that is the problem, but what would I need to do in this instance? Replace the filter, pump, wiring harness, strainer or something else?

[pwall]

When you say 'slow to turn over', sounds like a weak battery to me.

[Graya25]

When you say 'slow to turn over', sounds like a weak battery to me.

 

The battery is new as of April, so I don't think think that's the cause. The electricals all start up immediately, but the engine doesn't...

[trucc_boi]

like do you sit and crank on it and it takes a while to get gas or does it just crank slowly?

 

if it's the cold.. park in the garage?

[Graya25]

like do you sit and crank on it and it takes a while to get gas or does it just crank slowly?

 

if it's the cold.. park in the garage?

 

I sit in it and it takes a while to get the gas. What's odd is if I turn the key, stop, turn it again, stop, then turn again, it will start. It's not like when you have a weak battery and it chugs before it starts...so I guess I was unclear with my description, but I've never had this problem before.

 

I would park it in the garage, but there's no room for my truck. I don't think the clearance is high enough for it either.

[trucc_boi]

i'd check/replace fuel filter and see what that does.

[spackelman]

like do you sit and crank on it and it takes a while to get gas or does it just crank slowly?

 

if it's the cold.. park in the garage?

 

99% sure its your fuel pump. If you can, hook up a pressure gauge and post back the readings at starting and runnning.

[SDFan1980]

Did you ever figure this out? I'm having what sounds like the same problem, but I am not sure if we are actually describing the same thing.

 

I turn the key and the starter will catch and turn over maybe once, then nothing, then as long as I keep holding the key down, it eventually gets enough juice and it starts cranking normal and the motor will start.

 

The clock and everything are reset every time, but lights and everything come on.

 

I think it's a ground problem.

 

Is this the same as yours?

 

Dave