Cold Start - Check Guage light

[ACoyle]

Now that it's getting cold the grid heater is coming on longer. On most 20 degree mornings, I get a check gages light till the grid heater goes off. Since the truck is a '99, I assumed the batteries were going and replaced them. Two new Interstate batteries and it is still the same. The volt meter is at the bottom of the operating range.



I can't remember if I saw this last winter. Has anyone else seen this?



Thank You

Andy

 

[Alan Reagan]

My check guage light goes out after the system runs through all of its checks. The voltmeter will pull down slowly with the grid heater on but will start coming back up pretty quickly when the heaters go off. It drops to about 10 volts and then starts back up.

 

[mongoose]

I to have a 99 and have just started noticing the check guages light staying on longer than normal. I've not changed the batteries out though. I have noticed a couple of times that the cell phone beeps like it has lost power while pluged into the accessory plug after i start the truck. I like you did not notice it last year.

 

[Bad340fish]

I have noticed it also, but mine did it last year too. I believe its because its taking the truck longer to get oil pressure since the oil is so thick due to the cold.



Watch the oil pressure gauge and as soon as it rises your light should go off. My . 02

 

[C.]

My truck has been doing the same thing recently. I do not consider it a problem, treat it as you like.

I did notice if you keep the block heater plugged in the grid heaters do not come, or so it seems.



You could also dissconnect the relays for the grid heaters and start it that way. I had done this once at about 30*. It cranked a bit longer than normal and boy did it kick and buck for a few seconds before idling smoothly. I have the grid heaters hooked up now.

 

[Joe Mc]

Yes I just started to get a little longer "check gages" light to. However, when it's plugged in overnight/all day at work - it pretty much stay on a little longer than when it's warmer out. The grid heaters seam to come on regardles until it [really] warms up (or you get going over 20 mph or so) and the temp comes up to just off the low (140*)



I'll keep an eye on it to be sure, I'm not going to worry too much about it though, but I know what you mean - it is a nusiance. Just keep an eye on it as usual.

 

[Mr. C]

Mine also started to come back on after start-up 2 months ago( it usually comes on at first then goes out when oil pressure comes up ) I noticed when the chime sounded that the voltage was at around 8 volts and hung there for a minute or so. I figured the batteries might be weak,2 weeks later I was jump starting it at 3:00 in the morning the, toasters ate all the reserve amps. Since I still had a couple months of warranty left I took it to the dealer. Got 2 new batteries on the house , the notorious cold start hi idle software ( has not been cold enough here for it to work yet I usually don't hope for cold weather but have been wishing for frosty windows lately --go figure!!)and a "higher torque in lock-up" update ( which I noticed right away ).

Any how the batteries fixed the check gauges light.



This might be a stupid question ACoyle, but do your new batteries have enough CCA's & reserve for the application??

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Just my . 02 as well but you might want to check your alternator just in case its dropping performance and can't offset the heaters draw fast enough. This would aggravate the normal voltage dips and throw a low charge warning from the 'puter. f'instance when its in the teens I can get the same result by starting my '98 and letting it stutter at 800 rpm/ V+ 8. 0. BUT if I fire it off and kick the idle up to 1200 for a few seconds, check lite goes right off and V+ sits at 10. 0 at its lowest. This apparently gives the alternator enough spin to start replacing charge.

 

[ACoyle]

Hi Everyone,



Bad340Fish - This happens before startup, therefore, oil pressure is not yet a factor.



Mr. C - Threre are no stupid questions. The new batteries are rated the same as the old ones. I got lucjy here, my son in law had a brand new set of interstates delivered to his shop.



Everyone elses experience seems abut the same as mine, so I'll just chalk it up to the colder weather. It was not cold this early last year if memory serves.



I have my espar mechanically installed and hope to do the wiring today. This should help a lot.



Thank you all for the info. It all works a lot better with shareing.

 

[icarus33]

I've had the same situation since the end of last winter. I'm sure it's the batteries slowly going south as the charge meter is in the 10 volt range after a grid heater cycle when I'm not able to plug in. I also get a trouble code set in the winter. When I scan it with the laptop, the error is for the generator field. Figure it is the load the gen. is trying to charge and the PCM is detecting it. Still just waiting till the cranking of the motor slows down noticeably before replacing those batteries.



ic

 

[larryq]

Same here...

It's definately a NEW prob for me.



It NEVER did it before.



I just upgraded to 2 new Optima Red tops this summer.

The volts are LOW when i get in the truck and it's COLD.

The Check gauges light comes on and the chime lets me know there is a prob!



this is before I try to turn the engine over!



After the heaters cycle... the starter JUST TURNS THE ENGINE OVER!!!!!!!



Now I went to these optimas because they were supposed to be the best!... .



Now that a little cold gets to them. . they seem to be loosing charge!



If I get stranded... there will be HELL to pay.....



OPTIMA... you listening?????





Larry