Any trouble starting in the cold.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 1
From: MI
PC Poppy,
You have it partially correct. The problem you are describing is a no start condition. Meaning there is a frozen contact in the solenoid that prevents power to the starter motor preventing any cranking action at all. The problem discussed here is different since they are able to crank.
The frozen contact issue has been a nagging one for Ford for a number of years. Obviously, it occurs in the winter for cold weather but they finally discovered the problem and have issued a fix. The issue is the with starter builds in late summer/early fall with high humidity. There are components within the starter that will absorb this humidity. Now when we start the vehicle in cold weather the water is driven out by heat, but condenses on the B+ solenoid contact. The water vapor condenses here because it is attached to the B+ cable which has alot more surface area to cool down faster than the starter. Once it is cold enough, the water vapor freezes and causes a frozen contact. This situation only occurs for the first year of build and with starter builds in late summer/early fall (high humidity conditions) and mix with cold climates.
There was another issue with the Assembly plants at their final water inspection booth. They spray high pressure water around the vehicle looking for interior leaks as well as few other things. If the pressure is high enough and at the right angle, it will enter the solenoid. However, starters that had this water entry will freeze when parked outside at the northern build plants. Then they will not start when they are loaded onto the haulers.
Although I am not doubting what your dealer told you regarding the starter issue, 6 at one dealership is a little farfetched since warranty data only shows 20/25 average for the last several years for North America. Estimating there is several thousand dealerships in the cold climate region, we would be talking about 100K+ of issues and I am sure there would have been more press about it. But that doesn't mean it isn't true, because it can take several weeks before warranty data begins to populate. If I hear anything with this regards will respond back to this thread.
You have it partially correct. The problem you are describing is a no start condition. Meaning there is a frozen contact in the solenoid that prevents power to the starter motor preventing any cranking action at all. The problem discussed here is different since they are able to crank.
The frozen contact issue has been a nagging one for Ford for a number of years. Obviously, it occurs in the winter for cold weather but they finally discovered the problem and have issued a fix. The issue is the with starter builds in late summer/early fall with high humidity. There are components within the starter that will absorb this humidity. Now when we start the vehicle in cold weather the water is driven out by heat, but condenses on the B+ solenoid contact. The water vapor condenses here because it is attached to the B+ cable which has alot more surface area to cool down faster than the starter. Once it is cold enough, the water vapor freezes and causes a frozen contact. This situation only occurs for the first year of build and with starter builds in late summer/early fall (high humidity conditions) and mix with cold climates.
There was another issue with the Assembly plants at their final water inspection booth. They spray high pressure water around the vehicle looking for interior leaks as well as few other things. If the pressure is high enough and at the right angle, it will enter the solenoid. However, starters that had this water entry will freeze when parked outside at the northern build plants. Then they will not start when they are loaded onto the haulers.
Although I am not doubting what your dealer told you regarding the starter issue, 6 at one dealership is a little farfetched since warranty data only shows 20/25 average for the last several years for North America. Estimating there is several thousand dealerships in the cold climate region, we would be talking about 100K+ of issues and I am sure there would have been more press about it. But that doesn't mean it isn't true, because it can take several weeks before warranty data begins to populate. If I hear anything with this regards will respond back to this thread.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
No problems starting here at minus 35 celcius. Truck was plugged in for 3 hours before. If you are worried, buy a battery blanket--they help. At minus 30 celcius you have 40% left on a new fully charged battery. Don't worry about windchill, it does not effect vehicles, only people.
