It just don't like the cold! January 18, 2005, 08:03:20 AM Well, with the temp being 8* and the wind chill making it feel like it's about -20* the old 85 t/c just decided it did not want to go today. Of course after about 10 minutes I made it wake up and move, but this is not something I want to deal with every morning (10 minutes to start and no heat almost the whole way to work cuz the car's cold).Anyway, here's the deal, it's done this on less cold days, but not as bad. Sometimes the first time I turn the key, I can't hear the fuel pump and the starter doesn't engage, but usually it'll start on the third try. So I'm thinking I have yet another problem with this car, any suggestions?This is just one of many things wrong with the car. As much as I hate to say it, I think I need to look in to a newer daily driver, this is all starting to drive me crazy. My project car runs flawlessly, and the 2 daily drivers I've had have been nothing but headaches. I love my 2.3 turbos, but seems as though my 5.0 wins on reliability every time. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #1 – January 18, 2005, 08:12:17 AM Perhaps the starter solenoid or either the FP or EEC relays are sticking a bit in the cold. They might have a bit of moisture in them, or they just are plain old. You might try replacing them or popping the tops off (of the relays) and shooting them w/ some WD_40 to displace a bit of the moisture. Replacing them might be the best bet though.When my 84 XR-7 was my daily driver for a couple years, it never gave me any trouble and was always quick to warm up (let it sit for 5-10 mins)..enough so it would clear ALL the windows in the car before I left. The Ranger is a bit more tempramental, but only because I'm running the tiny DynaBat in it right now until I put a full-sized battery in the cab somewhere (no room after the turbo swap under the hood). Below 5* I need to jump it w/ my booster battery. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #2 – January 18, 2005, 08:28:55 AM On nicer days I can let it sit, but when it acts up like this, I have to drive 2 footed for about 10 minutes before it will idle and not stall. Now I just have to wait till it's a bit warmer again to try and fix this stuff. No way I'm working out in this cold and the sport's kind of beyond starting and moving much at this point. I could, but would have to bring the battery back to the garage and get it to sit in place long enough to move it in and out of the garage. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #3 – January 18, 2005, 08:32:54 AM Quote from: crystalOn nicer days I can let it sit, but when it acts up like this, I have to drive 2 footed for about 10 minutes before it will idle and not stall. Well, I'd look at your IAC and clean it perhaps, and maybe even the ECT, You should have no problems having it stay running as long as all the sensors are in good order. I had issues with the IAC on the truck until I swapped it. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #4 – January 18, 2005, 08:37:03 AM Will an 87 IAC work with the 85? I can just play the swap game if it will, still got the 87 t/c in many pieces at the speed shop... I know that one worked when the car was moving. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #5 – January 18, 2005, 08:51:12 AM Yup they're the same. It's two bolts and and electrical connector..so it's an easy check. You also might check your VAM and make sure the door isn't gummed up with that gets sticky when it get's cold. Chances are slim on that, but I've seen it happen. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #6 – January 18, 2005, 08:59:18 AM Yep, changed em out before, just wasn't sure if they were the same. Thanks for the help. I seem to have the worst luck with t/c's. This thing's only got 80k miles and eats a quart of oil a week. Probably rebuild it over the summer if it goes that long. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #7 – January 18, 2005, 03:13:07 PM Don;t feel too bad abou the cold, I had to work two days outside in -39* last week fixing things that froze. At that temp, when you through a cup of coffee into the air it turns to ice crystals and blows away. If it idles like (rich condition), especially when cold, you likley have an injector stuck open or the egr diaphram is sticking. Next time its running bad, pull the egr vac. line and see if it improves. Both are very commen in all types of cars around here. Like chuck said, give the relays a shot of wd-40 and (if it is sticking) the igniction swith cylinder. Also running some gas line antifreeze is good if its gets real cold. Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #8 – January 19, 2005, 07:36:58 AM threw some of that gas anti-freeze stuff in and it helped a TON (colder today then yesterday and practically started right up). guess there was just a ton of moisture in the system... Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #9 – January 19, 2005, 01:10:14 PM Up here we run about 1 gallon on antifreeze to fifty gallons fuel. When I was a mechanic the three biggest reasons cars would not start or run well in the winter were, Bad batteriesThis and/or dirty oilFrozen fuel line / pump / filter / injectors / jets (carb)Frozen mechanical component (injector, egr, iac)Gelled transmition fluid (automatic) Quote Selected
Re: It just don't like the cold! Reply #10 – January 19, 2005, 01:35:36 PM hey, at least one thing was easily fixed, next up, the oil guzzling 1 qt/200 miles is not fun... Quote Selected
Topic: It just don't like the cold! (Read 2165 times)
previous topic - next topic
