Outside temperature related starting problem
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Final outcome... drum roll please... it was not the ignition switch. It was the fuse panel!
After replacing the ignition switch, the truck passed my initial test (run heater until interior was good and warm, then shut it down, wait a few minutes, restart)
About an hour later, it would not crank again. Lacking the time to continue troubleshooting, I took it in to my local garage the next day. I printed out a description of the symptoms and everything I had done to try and fix it.
I was close. They found that when the truck would not start, they could press on the fuse going to the ignition switch and get it to fire up. Ultimately, they determined that the fuse panel itself (the interior panel on the left side of the dash, not the power distribution center in the engine compartment) was the culprit. The fuse was clearly heat stressed, and the contacts for it were buried in the panel and not replaceable. A new panel has been ordered.
One key point I failed to mention in this thread is that a remote start/alarm/remote door lock system was installed on this truck about 9 years ago. Early in my troubleshooting, I removed the control box for all this, and did not consider it a factor. It could be that this box was putting too much current to the ignition circuit. It is certainly my chief suspect. I will never know for certain, as it is not going to be reinstalled!
I hope this information helps someone else. Many thanks to Thunder for your suggestions, and good luck with your forestry career. I'm sure you will excel at it!
After replacing the ignition switch, the truck passed my initial test (run heater until interior was good and warm, then shut it down, wait a few minutes, restart)
About an hour later, it would not crank again. Lacking the time to continue troubleshooting, I took it in to my local garage the next day. I printed out a description of the symptoms and everything I had done to try and fix it.
I was close. They found that when the truck would not start, they could press on the fuse going to the ignition switch and get it to fire up. Ultimately, they determined that the fuse panel itself (the interior panel on the left side of the dash, not the power distribution center in the engine compartment) was the culprit. The fuse was clearly heat stressed, and the contacts for it were buried in the panel and not replaceable. A new panel has been ordered.
One key point I failed to mention in this thread is that a remote start/alarm/remote door lock system was installed on this truck about 9 years ago. Early in my troubleshooting, I removed the control box for all this, and did not consider it a factor. It could be that this box was putting too much current to the ignition circuit. It is certainly my chief suspect. I will never know for certain, as it is not going to be reinstalled!
I hope this information helps someone else. Many thanks to Thunder for your suggestions, and good luck with your forestry career. I'm sure you will excel at it!
