Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Truck dont want to start

[Paulsdodge]

Question,

Thursday in Alabama the morning temperature got down to 2 above zero. I purposely let the truck set out over night and it had not run in the past two days. I wanted to see how the diesel would crank at this low temperature. Here are the details: 1 no block heater was used. 2. Shell 15-40 oil 3. only cycled grid heater one time. 4. Number 2 diesel 5. Shell DFA added to fuel about 100 miles ago before cold weather set in 6. Green lights was on on both batteries. The truck would crank stumble and then stall. I tried again cycled the heaters twice cranked stumbled and stalled again. By this time I was worried, let the truck set for couple of minutes cycled heaters twice again,cranked and it started and continued to stumbled but i held the starter motor in and when I released the key it stalled again. After about two more tries like this it fired off and ran flawless the rest of the day, and had normal power from the minute it cranked, so I don't think I had gelled fuel. Is this normal or do I have problems. Oh by the way I checked the lift pump pressure about three months ago 18-20 psi at idle, have not checked at wot.

 

[jwilliams3]

Nothing is wrong.

Its the extreme cold weather.

I would suggest plugging in your truck if you can.

If not run the grid heaters a full 3 times, this will take at zero temperature over 1 minute.

This should fix your issue.



--Justin

 

[Lsfarm]

cold start

Phumerick: I have to start my truck after it sits in the airport parking lot it Detroit for 4-5 days at a time.



It starts with one cycle of the grid heater and doesn't miss. Your's sounds like the grid heaters are not working. I had a similar problem three trucks ago, with the same symtoms, it was a grid heater relay.



If you were experimenting, OK, but I would never put my engine through a cold start unless I have no choice. Especially with 15w-40 Dino oil!



When the truck is at home it's in a heated shop. I run Syntheitc oil for the best cold-start lubircation and reduction of cold start wear.



Lucky for you you don't have to deal with the cold very often!!



Greg L. The Noise Nazi