Rough starting in cold temps.

Hey all, I live in Alberta Canada, it gets quite cold here in the winter, like -30 Celcius sometimes more sometimes less. I like to plug my truck in if possible, but when I don't it seems to cough quite a bit before starting. This happens when it's roughly -12C and colder. It still starts up it just takes a long time to turn over. I used to own Chevy Cavaliers (I know ) and they would start up like champs not being plugged in in very cold climates. Is it because it's a big 4.0 V6? Maybe the stock battery doesn't have enough cold cranking amps? Thanks.

 

It's not uncommon for it to take a couple starts to start these things for some reason. Mine does it down here in Texas every once in a while. There are other threads on it, don't think anything conclusive ever came out of them. It's not really an issue other than being kind of embarrassing that your new truck doesn't start right up.

 

Thanks for the input! Have you thought about changing the battery? To me that's one of the only explanations, unless the starters are weak in these trucks.

 

It's definitely not the battery (at least in my case). I mainly have issues when the temperature changes drastically in a short period of time. It doesn't get cold enough here for the temp to really hurt the battery. I tried to find the thread where this was discussed but couldn't find it quickly.

 

Mine started fine at -27C the other morning. Yeah it did crank for maybe 10 sec. but started fine idled up and off I went.

 

Do you get that awful whine for several seconds before the cylinders warm up?

 

No just the fan sounding like it was going to come unglued for a minute or two.

 

Alaskan here: as long as the Taco is plugged(temps between -20 to -60)in I personally have had no problems starting it. Also, when not plugged in it starts without any problems.

Is your Taco's fluids "winterized"?

 

Same here never had a problem

 

it was 7*F here in nm a few years back and mine had a hell of a time starting. it ran like shit for about 5 mins before it started to warm up, after that it ran like a champ

 

Yeah mine did this the other day here in PA and it was only about 20 F. I was kinda startled by it since I didn't think it was all that cold out. I've been keeping an ear out for it ever since but it hasn't happened again. Hopefully its just one of those things but I'm glad to hear other people have experienced it too.

 

I bought my truck new last February. I was having a similar issue and came across this thread:


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...turn-into-crank-thon-start-3.html#post6587548


It only happened the first couple months I had the truck and hasn't happened again since.

 

Prime the fuel pump then she will fire up every time. Turn key to position II for 5 seconds till some dash lights turn off then start

 

Thanks for the input. It does start, it's just not very smooth when it starts in the cold. It coughs for a few seconds then makes this whining sound for about 5 seconds then quiets down. No, it is not winterized.

 

I have a Optima red top that I have had in my 11' Tacoma and I switched it to my AC 13' Tacoma. Never have any issues with it. I also run 5w30 Full synthetic. There is a bit of a squeal at start up. Sometimes it may take a bit to start. I found it normal.

 

The whining noise you hear might be the smog pump. I think mine does it for a few seconds on cold starts.