cold start hesitation

[Pfunk]

What causes hesitation when starting a vehicle that's been sitting outside? For example, the first cold start of the day is tough, but the vehicle starts fine afterwards? I need to know so I can make a recommendation to my boss. I work as a maintainence guy, and we are having trouble with this one van (the big problem is that it's a ford, but i'm willing to look past that if you guys are!). This van is really starting to screw the pooch, and I have a sinking suspicion that the dealership is jacking us around. Any help would be appreciated.

[dynorad]

Most likely the mixture is wrong. It could be either too rich or too lean, but most likely it is too lean.
Is this van old enough to have a choke?

[Pfunk]

Afraid not, it is a 1997 vintage. This thing is really starting to have an attitude problem, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was really screwed up.

[dynorad]

You might get on a ford board and find out how the cold start enrichment is handled on this van. It could be something as simple as a bad temperature sensor.

[cuda66273]

Probably needs a motor vac done on it, their notorious for dirty throttle bodies. Crumby design, no thought in the engineering, just typical mass produced junk....but 90% of all Firds built are still on the road!...the other 10% actually made it home....:-))

If it were mine I would try a temp sensor, not the temp gauge sender. This sensor sends the signal to the computer to richen the mixture when cold like a choke they are a common problem and about a $10 item. Sorry I can't tell you which one of the sensors is for the computer and which is for the guage you'll have to look it over and figure that one out on your own.

If it has idle RPM problems or hunts when it's cold it needs a throttle positioning switch located on the throttle body another piece of Fird engineering that quits at 50,001 miles.

Firds......jeeze......I own one of those P's OS Can't wait to sell it and get my Dodge Pick-up redone and on the road.

Thats all I can offer for suggestions, I HATE new cars....

[Pfunk]

Gracias guys. I made my suggestion to my supervisor, and it goes in the shop Friday. It's slated to make a trip up to Minnesota the same day, so the sooner this gets sorted out the better (especially a cold start problem).

[cuda66273]

Why's that..??? it's in the 70's here today...hehehehhee

[Pfunk]

My luck would have the van crap out up there, and then I'd have to drag it back with my truck (probably with all the passengers on board)! And unless it's my hot rod, I really don't want my Ram associated with a Ford (at least the new models---anything from the flathead era is fine with me).

[cuda66273]

Pfunk:
Let us know what they find.....just to see if I was close...

[Pfunk]

Will do.....

[5thAve]

Checking for problem codes should be the first step after checking the obvious (tune up, etc...). A dirty sensor or anything out of the ordinary can cause problems on any fuel injected engine.

[cuda66273]

Listen to these Canadian Guy's...if anyone knows about cold weather starting and block heaters it's a Canadian.....

[Pfunk]

Well, it was a sensor of some sort. Couldn't get the exact details from my supervisor, but it was a temperature-related gizmo. Thanx to all who replied.

[5thAve]

Aint that the truth

[cuda66273]

Cuda's gonna presume you mean "Temp Sensor" to the puter,.... file another knotch in the tool box lid and consider this thread closed.