Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starting trouble

[DavidGardner]

Having trouble starting my truck. If starting after days of sitting in the garage it turns over for at least 10 seconds or more before starting. This is waiting for the wait to start light goes off. If I plug it in (engine heater) for about an hour it fires right off. The temps are usually in the mid to high 30s when this happens. I think because it fires off instantly when it has been plugged in that I might have a problem with the intake heat grids.

Any suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?



Thank in advance. Dave Gardner. Oh I have 193,000 pluss miles now. Never had a problem before even parked out side overnite at 15 degrees.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Is your voltemeter dropping down to 8 volts while the "wait to start light is on? This should tell you if your grid heaters are working.

 

[Howard Durand]

It sounds like the grid heaters are not working. You should hear the relays click when you turn the ignition switch on and, like the Missouri Mule says, the voltmeter will drop to around 8 volts.

If there is no drop in voltage you need to check out the two relays and associated wiring. The relays are located on the fender well just below the driver side battery. Instructions for testing them are in the service manual. If you don't have one, let us know. We can help you with that.

There is also a possibility that the intake temperature sensor is defective.

I think that if you disconnect it, the grids will always come on no matter what the temperature.