dyeguy1212

iTrader: (1)

2004 5.4
185k miles
No idea if the plugs have been changed in the past, but the truck runs like an absolute champ. Battery and alternator are less than 2 years old. Gas was good, 3/4 tank.

COLD weather in MI, like 5 degrees F. Yesterday morning, the truck started fine (after sitting for 12 hours overnight). After work, the truck didn't want to start (sitting for around 9 hours in 10 degrees F)

Turned the key, and the cranking was slower than normal, but not too slow to even be alarmed by. Likely due to battery being cold. I could hear the goofy exhaust noises of a half-running engine. Immediately gas it some gas, and the RPMs picked up and it started running fine.

Any ideas? It's not a huge deal considering its rarely this cold and I have no issues at 20-30 deg F.

Could it be the starter?

Thanks

kobayashi maru

Sounds like it might be gasping for more air. Maybe idle air controller is sticky?

jamie930

sounds more like a weak battery to me.
Had a battery if it say over night it would start fine but during the day it would crap out and I would have to get a jump

kobayashi maru

Maybe I misunderstood. It's having trouble turning over or staying running?

dyeguy1212

iTrader: (1)

Turns over, but turns over a little slower than normal. The problem is actually "starting". It's as if it is being pushed by the starter and combusting at the same time, but won't actually take off running until I give it gas.

I hope that makes sense.

RA010223

The weather here in upstate NY is the same as you are experiencing, 5 degrees with a below 0 wind chill. My trucks struggles in really cold temps but I don't let off the starter till it fires, has not let me down yet. I don't need to give it gas either to get it to fire. I am not sitting there for minutes trying just a couple extra seconds because turning over is real slooooowwww.

kobayashi maru

Ok I stick by my original hypothesis in that case. Sounds like your battery is struggling a bit in the cold too but stepping on the gas shouldn't make any difference if that were the only problem.

Mod (Ret.)

That "gas pedal" is not a gas pedal anymore. It's a "drive by wire" pedal. It only operates a potometer that operates the throttle body to allow more/less air depending on the pedal position.