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  #1  
Old 01-09-2012, 06:00 AM
thraxman thraxman is offline
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Default Starting problem when it's cold out

Hi,

I've got a 2003 3.0 edge that's having a intermittent starting problem. It only happens when its cold outside. Took it to the dealer and they can't find anything wrong. but, two day's after i got it home, the temperature outside dropped and it had a hard time starting. so far i have always been able to get it running after turning the key four or five times.
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  #2  
Old 01-10-2012, 11:31 AM
03GeorgiaPreRanger 03GeorgiaPreRanger is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

You might want to give a few more details, like "it turns over fine, just doesn't hit," or "tries to crank but stumbles and goes dead," etc.

Without much more detail, I might suggest checking fuel pressure leak down. Maybe you're losing fuel in the lines back to the tank or something while it sits... idk
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  #3  
Old 01-11-2012, 08:25 PM
mopar9012 mopar9012 is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Ive heard of some guys saying that their fuel pumps(that were on their way out) would do funny things like start fine in the heat and trouble in the winter and vica versa. But more info would help.
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  #4  
Old 01-11-2012, 08:42 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Ya. "It doesn't start" doesn't tell us much. Please tell us exactly what happens each time your turn the key.
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  #5  
Old 01-14-2012, 10:34 AM
JFortner5 JFortner5 is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Do you run gas or e85?
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  #6  
Old 11-24-2012, 08:25 PM
franzmex franzmex is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Hey Guys. I am having the same problem as the original poster, but do not see that he ever gave the details you guys suggested:

So the car when cold or has not been running for a while has trouble starting. The battery and starter are fine, it sounds healthy. Super healthy it turns and turns with no dificulty.

Before (as it is now worse and more difficult to start) what would happen is that I would turn the key and let it turn for about 20 seconds. Then stop. Then try again and it would start right away. No gasing or anything required, but I would have to wait for a minute or so before moving to make sure it would not stall. This method though annoying, was very reliable.

Well it now has gotten worse. a) it does not really need to be cold or stopped that long, and b) sometimes it just wont start to the point that after 2 mins I beging to drain the battery.

Note once it starts it has no problems whatsoever. More so now after all I have tried (see below), but starting continues to be the problem.

Her is what I have already tried:

- Replaced Gas Filter
- Changed Spark plugs and cables (in truth did not do the two under the manifold, but doing this did not seem necessary as I really did it to get rid of the check engine light and that worked.)
- Cleaned the Mass airflow sensor
- Cleaned the IAC valve

I had computer codes before but after doing all this the check engine light is no longer on, so I assume there are no codes now. (dont want to pay to find out if that in fact is fine), as last year during smog check I already had that problem and it did not prevent it from passing.

Any help would be great. None of my local mechanics have figured it out either.

F.
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  #7  
Old 11-25-2012, 10:36 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Since you haven't told us what year, model, or engine you have, sorry, we can't help you.
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  #8  
Old 11-25-2012, 11:20 PM
franzmex franzmex is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

The car I am having trouble is the Ranger 1999 4 cylinder 2.5. Dual spark plug.

By the way I also checked the pump inertia switch, relay and fuses and that is not it either.
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  #9  
Old 11-26-2012, 07:30 AM
03GeorgiaPreRanger 03GeorgiaPreRanger is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

I think it's your fuel pump. I had one do that exact same thing on a "97 Z71, and ended up being the fuel pump. The pump was coming on when I would turn the ignition switch to run (could hear it running in the tank through the open fuel cap), but I think it had gotten too weak to pump enough fuel to start. If I cycled the key on and off for about 15 seconds at a time, several times, it would usually start eventually. Once running, though, I guess the prime in the system kept it pumping enough fuel to somehow run fine. Good luck with it!
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  #10  
Old 11-27-2012, 03:56 AM
franzmex franzmex is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Thank you for the Reply. I am more and more narroing it to the same thing, but I find it weird that it runs so perfectly once it starts, so if the pump was not doing well I would feel it while driving, wouldn´t I ???

Also I want to avoid the fuel pump, as correct me if I am wrong but that requires the removal of the whole gas tank (I believe it is inside the tank and only accesable from the top), which I cannot do, which means paying a mechanic for it... Is that right?

Thanksl
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  #11  
Old 11-27-2012, 07:07 AM
78_pinto 78_pinto is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

how old is your battery? 99/100 times when your fuel pump dies , that is what happens..... it dies and that is it. besides that can you hear the pump running when you turn the key? if yes ... guess what? your pump is working....
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  #12  
Old 11-28-2012, 12:20 PM
franzmex franzmex is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Hello, thank you for the responses.

So I do not believe is the pump because when the car is running and I artificially remove the relay the car dies right away. So again the car is running perfect when running. Only a problem starting.

So I took it to a mechanic that tells me that there must be a problem with the GAS TANK. And there is indeed. Whenever I fill it with gas some gas spills (from the tank) and there is usually a smell of gas for the first day (even if I am careful not to fill it to the top so it does not spill).

Has anyone had experience with this. Would this cause enough of a problem so that the car would actually not start or have difculty starting. Say that if the gas tank is not sealed from the top, would that affect the car from starting. Would it be possible to reproduce this failure by (on a cold car) trying to start it with the gas cap off??

The mechanic told me also that there have been some problems with Ranger gas tanks. Anyone with this experience out there?

Cheers.
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  #13  
Old 11-28-2012, 01:24 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Have you checked fuel pressure as was suggested earlier?
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How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
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  #14  
Old 12-07-2012, 02:11 PM
enamisniak enamisniak is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

Hi,

I'm having the same issue as well with my 99 Ranger 4 cyl. After lots of research this seems to be the latest thread regarding this issue. Were you able to find out if the fuel pump was causing the problem?

It seems like everyone else is ruling out the same issues (IAC, MAF, spark plugs, battery...). My truck actually had a hard time starting during the day once, but mostly this happens in the morning when it's cold out. I replaced my battery about 2 weeks ago and it seemed fine for about a week. Then the problem kept happening once every couple days or so.

Thanks!
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  #15  
Old 12-07-2012, 11:13 PM
stephen stephen is offline
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Default Re: Starting problem when it's cold out

i am also having this issue now. when its warm out my truck takes about twice as long to start as normal, and it gets pretty bad when its cold out. once its going the truck runs just fine. a problem that i find unique with mine is that when i have the key in (but the truck is not running) my radio will turn of when i turn my lights on. i just noticed that today, but have had the problems with start up for the last week now.

my batteries going on five years old now. so im thinking that might be the problem.
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Last edited by stephen; 12-07-2012 at 11:31 PM.
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