Hard Starting now that it's cold here

[Richard_P_Harvey]

I installed my Saleen SC and JDM upgrade and tune very early last spring so it's not until now that the truck in this configuration has seen cold weather. What I have noticed is the truck has a lot of trouble starting. It turns over spits and sputters a lot before it finally kicks in. Could it really NOT be the colder weather here in New England but some other problem or have others seen starting issues when it's cold.

[hennie]

I would doubt it has something to do with the outside temps.
My guess would be moisture on some electrical parts, or maybe the coils don't like the colder climate's.
BTW mine still starts great while the night temps are just below freezing
I think Jim can answer your question perfectly.

Hennie

[geetea67]

I have the same problem. During summer, not a problem in the morning. But the last month as the mornings are colder, 52deg., it has been starting harder and harder in the morning. Here in California, we have had some warm weather for couple days, then back to cold, then warm again. The issues come and go with the temperature. I am installing my JDM mods this week. I let you know if anything changes.

[wcdean]

mine used to do that but it was fixed when i had it retuned. might want to contact jdm and talk to them. they might need to tweak your tune a bit...

[Richard_P_Harvey]

I reached out to Jim at JDM and he claims that holding the key in the on position for 5 seconds before you actually start the engine may fix it, I need to try that.

[HRD KNX]

Originally Posted by Richard_P_Harvey

I reached out to Jim at JDM and he claims that holding the key in the on position for 5 seconds before you actually start the engine may fix it, I need to try that.

What is that suppose to do?? Its not like it has glow plugs.?

[Jim D.]

Originally Posted by 06-878

What is that suppose to do?? Its not like it has glow plugs.?

It probably makes sure the fuel pump has a chance to prime the fuel and ensure the pressure is up for ignition.

[HRD KNX]

Well that makes perfect sense actually, I hadnt thought about fuel pressure

[geetea67]

I have always thought it was a fuel issue. I've tried the turn the key on for 5 seconds, and sometimes its better. What works for me is turn the key on for a couple seconds then off, then back on, and that seems to get more fuel in there for start up. Also try, when you start it and it stumbles, turn off then restart. That has been the only consistant thing that corrects the cold stumble for me.

[HRD KNX]

Is it the factory fuel pump?

[geetea67]

It's been replaced under warranty in an attemp to fix issue but no luck. It did it regardless of what pump was installed.

[jaiasmit]

My DG281SC was having the same problem as things started getting colder here. I was running 93 octane fuel even though the car is running on the stock tune which is set for 91 octane. I was talking with someone who mentioned that the higher octane fuel can sometimes make a car start hard if it's not tuned for it. So, I dropped down to 92 octane from Speedway and my problem is now gone.

It's entirely possible that I could have just been getting bad gas at the station I was getting my 93 from, but I've been getting gas there for over 2 years and have never had any issues until it started getting cold.

If you're running a higher octane fuel than you're tuned for, you might try dropping down to a lower octane and see if it helps.

[Richard_P_Harvey]

I tried this last night and the truck still started hard so it's not the fix for me....

[wcdean]

Originally Posted by geetea67

I have always thought it was a fuel issue. I've tried the turn the key on for 5 seconds, and sometimes its better. What works for me is turn the key on for a couple seconds then off, then back on, and that seems to get more fuel in there for start up. Also try, when you start it and it stumbles, turn off then restart. That has been the only consistant thing that corrects the cold stumble for me.

don't forget to stand on one foot while spinning counter-clockwise and clucking like a chicken...

that fixes it for me... (sorry i couldn't resist.)




mine did it with the jdm tune but after i had it retuned by a local shop that specializes in ferds it stopped doing it. when mine did used to do it, turning it off immediately and restarting it seemed to always work...

[jaiasmit]

Originally Posted by Richard_P_Harvey

I tried this last night and the truck still started hard so it's not the fix for me....

Hey Richard,

Just wondering if you meant you tried dropping to lower octane fuel. If so, how much fuel was in it when you switched? Unless you were almost completely empty, it will most likely take a few tanks of the new stuff before you'll start noticing much difference.

When I switched mine the tank was almost bone dry and even then it took a few mornings of starting it cold before it got significantly better. Now the problem is completely gone.

[JimIII@JDM]

I had the same problem with our S331 truck and it too seemed to do this more in the winter time. When the truck had some heat in the engine it was fine. What i would do is hold the key on for a few seconds then turn it over and usually it would start fine like that. We did look at some things in the tune and couldnt seem to find anything. The smart junction box located under the dash is where the signal is sent and moisture or cold weather could be affecting it.

[cydewaz]

I have the same problem at a cold start. I've been considering getting the JDM Stage I kit, hoping that their tune would solve this problem.
I guess that answers my question and hoses my plan.

Trying to sell it to my wife....................lining up my excuses.
Cydewaz #156

[usnis0922]

Alright, Ive had an 03 Suburban, an 06 Chrysler 300 C SRT8 and my Saleen RF. All have started a little "off" when it cools down. Its in the computer man, its trying to adapt. Hell, I even had my 300 stall sometimes when it was real cold in washington. Im in Florida now, Saleen starts just fine. It had a little hesitation when it got down in the 50's the other night. Dont freak, just one of those things.

[08chrgduphd]

there is a cold start tsb for this guys i just had my 08 sc hd 150 done it covers 07-08 and is warranty its an open loop tune problem as soon as the truck hits closed loop and is reading o2 sensors truck runs fine pcm has to be re-flashed by saleen the tsb # 7-24-3 pertains to 5.4l f150 with or without sc the only difference is if sc it has to go to saleen


ALSO WHEN IT COMES BACK FROM SALEEN IT WILL RUN WAY BETTER !!!!

[Richard_P_Harvey]

Originally Posted by 08chrgduphd

there is a cold start tsb for this guys i just had my 08 sc hd 150 done it covers 07-08 and is warranty its an open loop tune problem as soon as the truck hits closed loop and is reading o2 sensors truck runs fine pcm has to be re-flashed by saleen the tsb # 7-24-3 pertains to 5.4l f150 with or without sc the only difference is if sc it has to go to saleen


ALSO WHEN IT COMES BACK FROM SALEEN IT WILL RUN WAY BETTER !!!!

Thanks for that but keep in mind that any of us that have one of the tuner upgrades (JDM, Troyer etc.) this would not apply...

[08chrgduphd]

Actually richard it will because even with the tuner upgrade it still starts with stock open loop parameters
im here in vegas were dyno jet is located and when we ran and tuned my sc hd when we were done it still cold started the same way so the r&d guy suggested putting it back to stock and having ford send out the pcm under the tsb to saleen( which saleen knows about this call them ) so i did it came back with no start problem and ran better after that we put it back on the dyno and put the performance tune back in never had a problem since
im from nj originally and know of jdm you can call them and they will tell you the same thing the original open loop setting has to be good to start with

i hope this helps thanks dave

[Saleen190]

Originally Posted by 08chrgduphd

Actually richard it will because even with the tuner upgrade it still starts with stock open loop parameters
im here in vegas were dyno jet is located and when we ran and tuned my sc hd when we were done it still cold started the same way so the r&d guy suggested putting it back to stock and having ford send out the pcm under the tsb to saleen( which saleen knows about this call them ) so i did it came back with no start problem and ran better after that we put it back on the dyno and put the performance tune back in never had a problem since
im from nj originally and know of jdm you can call them and they will tell you the same thing the original open loop setting has to be good to start with

i hope this helps thanks dave

......if you reflash the computer with the jdm/troyer tune as richard stated, it clears the saleen tune out of the pcm and reloads it with theirs. the truck is then running on the tuners tune.... you cant have part of one tune and part of another. Its all or nothing. when you plug your chip/x3 or whatever you have into the pcm and load a upgrade tune, the original is erased ...or 'over written". however you wanna look at it....either way the truck is no longer running off that original tune. Richard help me explain that better.....

[08chrgduphd]

Again not true the tuner program or re tune jdm ,troyer or what ever will only change closed loop. Your tuner device will always use stock open loop parameters because their is no performance in open loop as open loop only last for maybe 20 seconds depending on surrounding factors ie ambient temp ect
so if the pcm has an open loop issue in the stock tune it will still be there when flash with the tuner device

again call saleen or jdm and ask them even when saleen reflashed my pcm they started with the stock open loop and added there re flash

[burnouts331]

Originally Posted by 08chrgduphd

Again not true the tuner program or re tune jdm ,troyer or what ever will only change closed loop. Your tuner device will always use stock open loop parameters because their is no performance in open loop as open loop only last for maybe 20 seconds depending on surrounding factors ie ambient temp ect
so if the pcm has an open loop issue in the stock tune it will still be there when flash with the tuner device

again call saleen or jdm and ask them even when saleen reflashed my pcm they started with the stock open loop and added there re flash

ALSO WHEN IT COMES BACK FROM SALEEN IT WILL RUN WAY BETTER !!!!

Well something is not adding up. At first you stated that when the tune comes back from saleen "it will run way better!!!". Well how is this true if saleen is only gonna change the open loop parameters which do not have any effect on the performance of the truck?

[08chrgduphd]

because in order for saleen to in put fords changes they have to incorporate it into thier tune which happens to be a newer version

it will fix cold start
it will fix overdrive hunting at freeway speed
it will fix throttle response
and fuel economy

now i understand that if you have a aftermarket tune
only the cold start and the overdrive hunting will effect you the rest of the tune will be overwritten by your flash tune but open loop and hunting overdrive will still be there
those items have to be corrected in stock form or they will stay with the truck no matter what tune you have

i know this because i just went through it with my truck 08 hd 150 saleen scharger
when out side temps got to 50deg truck had starting issues
we tried putting it on a dyno and tuning it ran better made more power but
it still had starting problems & the od hunting was still there
so i did some research and found out about the tsb for 07-08 f150s (this is open loop issue)
and that if you had sc option it had to go to saleen so my dealer pulled pcm sent it to saleen they reflashed it with the ford fix and their updated tune
and it came back a better running truck thats why i made that statement.

this was all covered under warranty including shipping

anyway when truck came back we put it back on dyno reinstalled the tune
and never had an issue since

also truck was tuned at dynojet here in las vegas by there automotive r&d specialist

[Saleen190]

Originally Posted by 08chrgduphd

because in order for saleen to in put fords changes they have to incorporate it into thier tune which happens to be a newer version

it will fix cold start
it will fix overdrive hunting at freeway speed
it will fix throttle response
and fuel economy

now i understand that if you have a aftermarket tune
only the cold start and the overdrive hunting will effect you the rest of the tune will be overwritten by your flash tune but open loop and hunting overdrive will still be there
those items have to be corrected in stock form or they will stay with the truck no matter what tune you have

i know this because i just went through it with my truck 08 hd 150 saleen scharger
when out side temps got to 50deg truck had starting issues
we tried putting it on a dyno and tuning it ran better made more power but
it still had starting problems & the od hunting was still there
so i did some research and found out about the tsb for 07-08 f150s (this is open loop issue)
and that if you had sc option it had to go to saleen so my dealer pulled pcm sent it to saleen they reflashed it with the ford fix and their updated tune
and it came back a better running truck thats why i made that statement.

this was all covered under warranty including shipping

anyway when truck came back we put it back on dyno reinstalled the tune
and never had an issue since

also truck was tuned at dynojet here in las vegas by there automotive r&d specialist

Ok, Im not trying to split hairs or start a fued but i think yuor a little misinformed about your info. My pcm never has been back to Saleen, Troyer retuned my truck and He fixed my Over drive surging and cold start issues with the tune he put it in it. My trucK HAS NEVER had these issues since the tune install. so obviosuly the pcm does not have to go back to ford or saleen to fix that and yes, everyone is dead on in their information so far about your pcm being over written by a tuners tune.....thats what flashing the pcm does. Again, not to call you out but I think Dynojet gave yuo some bad information...and they may be R&D specialists....but I would take my vehicle to a FORD specialist if I were you.

[08chrgduphd]

that is your opinion and your entitled to it but fact is fact
and dyno jet is the the best tuning facility in the country

almost every shop uses their equipment so i would
consider them a specialist over troyer or jdm

they are the pioneers in tuning & dyno hence the name dynojet
tuners do not change open loop parammeters

im glad your truck runs good

so does mine

thx for your input