Cold Start Problems

[ablaze79]

Hiya,
I've owned my current transit for almost a year now..
Over the last couple of weeks we've had a few bitterly cold frosty mornings, where the nights have been well sub zero.
I find that on such a night, when I turn the ignition key two clicks in the morning, the engine management light doesn't light and the motor will not turn over.
If I turn the key off and on 3 or 4 times there's a click down near the floor on my left and on comes the management light and the engine starts straight away!
Any ideas as to how I can keep this bit that clicks warm, or is it a bit that needs replacing and where and what is this bit?
I think it's to do with the chip imobiliser.
Fortunatly once started and as soon as the temperature is above freezing it starts first time every time!
Apollo

[Frag]

What year/model engine etc.......?

[ablaze79]

it's a 1996 2.5td 100ps

[Frag]

In that case,have a look at the relay in the plastic box under bonnet,above o/s chassis leg/under brake servo.

This is for pcm/engine management on td`s.

[ablaze79]

Thankyou, will check it out, if unable to start!

[dorsetransitman]

I have an identical problem.......my "beatch" of a van will NOT start when its cold............
BATTERY. Fine when the things warmed through, but first thing 5.00am?? NO way!
(hope you dont have to resort to the evil Bradex easy start!)

[ablaze79]

Same time of year, same problem... this time round I'm armed with a battery tester! It's the battery!! When below freezing, the voltage drops to about 12.2 and when the key is turned to start, it's not enough power. Strangely, although I have 2 batteries in the engine bay, only one is used for starting (guess the other used to be for the wheelchair lift and aux lighting). I've been ableon more than one occasion connect jumpleads to my other battery and hey presto, van starts no prob! My batteries aren't yet 2 years old I believe and I'm not aware of anything connectd that should be draining the starting battery. Oh well, roll on summer!

[psv-hgv-flt]

Same time of year, same problem... this time round I'm armed with a battery tester! It's the battery!! When below freezing, the voltage drops to about 12.2 and when the key is turned to start, it's not enough power. Strangely, although I have 2 batteries in the engine bay, only one is used for starting (guess the other used to be for the wheelchair lift and aux lighting). I've been ableon more than one occasion connect jumpleads to my other battery and hey presto, van starts no prob! My batteries aren't yet 2 years old I believe and I'm not aware of anything connectd that should be draining the starting battery. Oh well, roll on summer!

you want the early heavy duty starter motor, the late slim(piss week) one are crap, defo at winter time. the early fat ones will drive you of the road.

[ZeldaTheWelder]

My 96 smiley is an arse to start in the cold. starters fine and good strong battery but just
seems to need an extra kick in the cold so i brought a engine jump starter box from halfords
and its been a god send has not let me down to date.

[valeterjack]

i plug a little heater into mine overnight get into her in the morning and hey presto starts first time winows clear and nice and toastie on a cold morning

However forgot to do it last night windows frozen and van blinking cold