won't start in cold - temp. sensor???

My Tacoma hasn't been starting when it is cold outside.
It has a full tank of gas and I put that additive called "HEET" in the gas tank so the lines wouldn't freeze.

I'd like to get it so that it can reliably start in the cold.
Today it was about 40 deg F and it started right up, but if the temperature is below freezing it will just crank and crank and never start.

At first I thought it was an electrical problem because I recently had the distributor replaced, but now that it started on the first warmer day I am confused.

Back in the summer, the car would have problems starting if it was really hot -- but if I unplugged the temperature sensor (in the air filter housing) it would start right up, then I'd plug it back in and ride off.
I tried unplugging the temp. sensor in the cold but it didn't make any difference and still wouldn't start.

Could this just be a temperature sensor problem? Would that keep it from starting when it is cold?
Also where can I find a temperature sensor because I tried to order one at the local parts store and they couldn't get one?
How often do these break - (aka maybe I should just get one at a junkyard?). I am confused that maybe this isnt the issue because I thought a temp sensor only fine tuned the fuel/air mixture - and wouldn't be the cause for it not to start???

 

no, my MAF is definitely a different part.
Either that or I am not describing it correctly.

There is a small sensor where the air filter is (I unplugged something this summer to get it working!).
It is a 1996 4cyl Tacoma Xtracab.

I thought it was an air temperature sensor.

http://www.partsgeek.com/assets/rep/thumb/8216-01037056-1025642.jpg

there is an image, it sits inside where the air filter is.

Anyways, does anyone have any idea if that would be the cause of a no start if temps are below freezing?

 

I knew I was missing something!! (I think I saw it referred to IAC sensor, and I couldn't figure out what it meant).

so how important is this thing for actually getting a car started?? - or is it much more likely that some other electrical pieces are upset with the cold.

I thought maybe the igniter could be what is picky in the cold (and maybe that is what caused the recent failure of the coil inside the distributor?). I could be completely wrong (and I hope I am, that part costs a lot of $$).

The car doesn't have any codes (check engine light is not on ever).

 

I bought mine in July in NC, and am in Indiana, and for some reason these people have some freakishly cold weather(less than 20 for 2 weeks), and she starts right up everytime.

 

but there is no code - and I know that unplugging that solved my problem in the summer (but not in the winter).

What else could be causing a no-start condition only when the temp is below freezing?
I don't think it is a fuel problem because I have a FULL tank of gas and I put HEET in the gas tank before filling it up.

 

my dads 2.4 had a sensor on a coolant line on the very back of the head, against the firewall, it was unplugged and only would start when warm, or with ether. plugged it up and it starts everytime now


Ryan

 

Have you checked your battery? How old is it?

 

• When the car does start it idles smooth (RPM) and runs great!

• I tried to start it with ether but it didn't start even with that sprayed in -- I will check by the coolant hoses near the firewall to see if anything is unplugged

• The battery is fine - I had it tested in the summer (and I tried jumping it when it was cold as well)

These are all great ideas, and I hope something I do will fix it. I feel like it is an electrical problem probably with a sensor and only when it is below freezing outside.

???

 

Battery connections clean & tight?

I know you said the battery was checked this summer...however...batteries don't like to sit. If the truck sat that long without being used - then the battery could be loosing charge. I'd definately have the battery checked again. Or hook it up to a charger and have it re-charged. Overall, it's a lot more stressful (on the battery) in the cold weather than it is in the warm weather.

Our corvette....the thing is constantly drawing power from the battery even when it sits.... the battery dies just from sitting. My husband keeps a charger on it constantly until we drive again. The charger is a CTEK Multi US 3300.

When we owned our Jeep...it sat in the garage all winter. About once a month (or more) we'd go out and start it and let it run for like 10 minutes just to help keep the Optima charged up.

 

the battery is fine. I even tried taking it inside to warm it up.
It started right up when the weather was warm yesterday.

 

have it scanned again at advance or autozone for any codes just to be safe, its free there