Car Won't start.. | GTAMotorcycle.com

Car Won't start..

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mimico_polak

Well-known member
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Dad called me with yet another time that his truck won't start in the cold.

Recently:
- new battery
- new starter
- cleaning battery terminals last time it wouldn't start

Truck does nothing when you try to fire it up in the cold. Zero. Then when it warms up to around 0C again...it starts right up with no major issue.

Last time he took it in to the shop the mechanic found that the ground cable wasn't seated well so he cleaned it up, and it fired up again (but by then it got warmer).

It's a 2009 Ford E350. We thought about getting CT tow assistance, but their limit of GVWR is 8600lbs and his truck is 9500lbs so not worth buying it.
 
The old stuff was easier to trouble shoot. Do the accessories work?

You used to be able to jam a screwdriver into the solenoid and bypass the start circuit but will that now fry a $1000 chip and can you even see the solenoid?

Are there any clicking noises when the key is turned?
 
Ford truck engines were notorious at one time for the battery cable at the starter connection getting loose. Cold the post contracts just enough no go, warm day go. My early F150 did this , its a nut connection .
Dont over reef on it, after tight comes broken .
 
Thanks guys. Talked to dad and he said it doesn't click, but it cranks without starting.

He put in some anti-freeze into the fuel lines, but probably not enough. And I'll let him know to look at the contacts again.
 
if it cranks means starter is alive, the remaining pieces are:
- ignition coil - your spark depends on it - easy to replace if in doubt
- alternator - check voltage
- spark plugs - if too old go straight to replace
- fuel - pump - google how to check if fuel is coming
 
nobbie48 said:
I assume gas not diesel.
Click to expand...
Yes, regular gas. Not a diesel.

Thanks all, I'll talk to my dad at lunch to let him know but he's not firing that thing up or going anywhere as he's worried that it won't start again.

Last time it got stuck at our house so it wasn't a huge deal. But one time it got stuck at a Home Depot which sucked.
 
P.S
a couple more items - part of regular maintenance, can cause issues when neglected:
- Spark plugs cables (in winter/cold could lose current due poor/old insulation/cracks) - replace usually together iwth spark plugs every 20K (OEM FTW)
- fuel filter - if fuel is poor quality (or rusted tank) it could clog up pretty fast - replace for piece of mind regularly

these and above are pretty easy maintenance items to do, if issue persists beyond = +1 to seek help from pro mechanic
 
Sochi said:
P.S
a couple more items - part of regular maintenance, can cause issues when neglected:
- Spark plugs cables (in winter/cold could lose current due poor/old insulation/cracks) - replace usually together iwth spark plugs every 20K (OEM FTW)
- fuel filter - if fuel is poor quality (or rusted tank) it could clog up pretty fast - replace for piece of mind regularly

these and above are pretty easy maintenance items to do, if issue persists beyond = +1 to seek help from pro mechanic
Click to expand...
Spark plugs every 20k? Wow...that's very often...although the last spark plug I changed was on my Si.
 
Sochi said:
P.S
a couple more items - part of regular maintenance, can cause issues when neglected:
- Spark plugs cables (in winter/cold could lose current due poor/old insulation/cracks) - replace usually together iwth spark plugs every 20K (OEM FTW)
- fuel filter - if fuel is poor quality (or rusted tank) it could clog up pretty fast - replace for piece of mind regularly

these and above are pretty easy maintenance items to do, if issue persists beyond = +1 to seek help from pro mechanic
Click to expand...
Time to update your maintenance. Modern spark plugs in cars now go 200K. In roughly 600K on my last two cars I have replaced one set of plugs and never the HT wires.
 
I want this van to last. It doesn't have all that many kms as I recall (maybe 120k or so) but it's solid, has a LOT of tools inside, and whenever he decides it's most likely coming to me.

The decision at that time will be:
a) keep all the tools (which I think is 100% overkill for my skills / needs)
b) gut it and make it into a converted campervan

But that'll be a whole other threat once it's time to go that route.
 
timtune said:
Time to update your maintenance. Modern spark plugs in cars now go 200K. In roughly 600K on my last two cars I have replaced one set of plugs and never the HT wires.
Click to expand...

yeah, i used to do maintenance years ago.. nowadays i drive new cars and change them before they need any serious maintenance :)
 
Sochi said:
yeah, i used to do maintenance years ago.. nowadays i drive new cars and change them before they need any serious maintenance :)
Click to expand...
Same had enough fiddling with used cars, ever since buying new my vehicles have lasted much longer with no issues, just regular maintenance.
I guess it's true what they say about buying other people's problems when buying used.
 
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