View Full Version : 2008 Mazda B4000 Hard to Start In Cold Weather
DanPatrick10
Feb 28, 2017, 12:57 PM
Title says it all. Yesterday's hi was 39 degrees with a low of 30 degrees. Performed a battery test today with multi-meter. Measured 12.7 volts with engine off, 14.04 volts with engine running. Battery did not go below 10 volts during CCA test. Battery tested OK.
ma0641
Feb 28, 2017, 01:19 PM
How did you test the battery? Multi-meter is not what you need. You need to do a check under load with the CCA measured, voltage doesn't mean much. Hard starting can mean a couple of things. Cranks but starts with difficulty? Won't crank? Oil too thick? Starter dragging? Dirty battery terminals?
DanPatrick10
Feb 28, 2017, 08:30 PM
The truck has been well maintained. Only has 47k on it. Battery connection terminals are clean. If there's one thing I am big on, it's having clean battery terminals and I'm always checking them bc I live near the ocean.
How did you test the battery? Says in my post.
Multi-meter is not what you need. You need to do a check under load with the CCA measured This is how auto techs test batteries and measure CCA.
Cranks but starts with difficulty? Won't crank? Engine cranks fine.
Oil too thick?Not sure what type of oil it has right now. Probably conventional 5W-30 viscosity grade. Bought it from the dealer. Doubt that's the problem since 5W-30 is winter grade oil, and will perform well in temps down to -25. My other car starts right up with 10W-30 conventional.
Seems like it's not getting fuel. Going to check under the hood again tomorrow, although I have a feeling I will have to take it back to the dealer. I am hoping I won't because they are 120 mi. away.
TxGreaseMonkey
Mar 2, 2017, 07:02 AM
I suspect the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor is bad. Its function is to deliver a rich fuel mixture, when the temperature is low, and a lean mixture, when the engine warms up. This is basic input information for the ECM.