Cold Engine start

[5Rangers]

Hi all!!! First Post, been a Ranger owner since 87. My 99 is the first one Ive driven past the 165K miles!! Great truck with no major problems other then replacing the altenator recently. Im having a problem with my 99 3.0L, intermittently, it will start but shuts down right away, if I keep my foot on the gas and feather the peddle, I can keep it running. Once it warms up, all is fine. This only occurs when its real cold out as far as I can tell. I suspect there is a cold engine sensor somewhere in the system? Perhaps it's not telling the ECU it's cold out? Any ideas?

 

[Shoeboy]

Are you plugging it in over long periods of time. If its cold there like it is here (-22*C today, excluding windchill, roughly -30 to -35*C with windchill). keeping it plugged in insures the coolant in the engine stays warm, which in turn keep the engine block worm, which in turn keep the oil warmer, which in turn allows the engine to get to operating temperature faster. I would try keeping it plugged in when parked overnight, or for long periods in the day and see how that works out for ya.

 

[snake]

I'm thinking the cold start sensor is shot. Since it starts right away I'd say the temp sensor is working telling the engine that it is cold out, but not idling up properly for warm-up. Is it throwing a code?

 

[Shran]

x2 on the block heater. Especially if it's a manual transmission truck. I know this may sound weird but your clutch can freeze when it's really cold out. Mine does it all the time, just gotta give it a little gas and let the clutch out really slow in neutral or it dies.

 

[5Rangers]

It is not giving a code, i.e. the check engine light in not on and test normally when started. I don't believe this is a block heater issue, as I am in Tx and the temp doesn't get that cold. This occurred the other night when the temp was in the low 30s, in addition I have had the truck since new and never had this problem in the past. I appreciate all your comments.

The cold engine sensor I think is located in the coolant stream somewhere, can anyone give me an approximate location and test procedure?