Long crank to turn over engine in very cold temperatures - '99 LX 470

[The Mac Attack]

Hey All!

First time joining ih8Mud, but been a reader since buying my truck in July of this year. Quick background on the truck, I bought it in northern cali (Marin county) where she lived a rust free life of only 100k miles. I have since driven her across country back to the east coast and up to Maine. I've had a few issues here and there that I have fixed thanks to all of you on the site.

With winter quickly upon us, I'm noticing longer than usual crank times to eventually turn the engine over. It was 13 degrees F this morning and it sounded like it wouldn't turn and after about 3.5 secs it turned over. Took a video to share with everyone.

Things I've investigated:

• Battery - was added in 2019 and is a Super Start AGM
• Fuel Pump - primed the pump by turning to on for about 5 secs and then turning on

Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated it. I'm planning on taking it in to have fluids changed sometime next week after a ski trip.

 

[jerryb]

Listening to the starter, sounds like low volts

 

[CorporalClegg]

Sounds pretty normal for those temps, what group size is the battery?
My 27 northstar will struggle like that if temps stay below freezing for several days

 

[87warrior]

Following along for the discussion. My '99 takes about that long to fire up when cold.

 

[shiretowndown]

Glad you posted this.

My recent ‘01 LX purchase sounds like that which is concerning me but I’m basing it on my ‘06 I had which also had the “turn and release” crank feature....maybe I am just accustomed to that?

 

[jerryb]

watch your voltage while it's cranking. That's all that's needed to tell.

 

[The Mac Attack]

Listening to the starter, sounds like low volts

Thanks Jerryb - going to post and prod a bit and check the volts today.

 

[The Mac Attack]

Sounds pretty normal for those temps, what group size is the battery?
My 27 northstar will struggle like that if temps stay below freezing for several days

its a 24F

 

[jerryb]

to explain, which I should have. I'd say if it drops below 10.xx V while cranking, then the battery was low.
also you could jump start off a running truck and see what happens in the same conditions. You asked about speed of cranking. Everything else being normal. Voltage and fuel will affect it, as will alt, and temp, but supplied voltage will be the same. Your fuel pump is at the same disadvantage. Cold for sure affects it, I don't deny that at all.
If you've been charging the AGM at lower than 14.1? I'd think a voltage thing. Really depends though.

A slower cranking speed comes gradually as things age and it's easy to get use to and forget what it was like to see higher battery voltage, and related cranking voltage.

The non vvti has lower compression. Should be slightly easier to start- comparing voltages

 

[super90]

Sounds fine to me. Nothing odd about that in cold weather.

Heck, I don't start that quickly in those temps !!!

 

[mitchjohnson000]

It's normal.