Cold Starting with a tune

[rammertide07]

Last week I drove to a burger joint and got something to eat. Truck sat for about 30 mintues in high 30* weather. When I went out to start the truck, it would turn over and one cylinder would fire like it started...then it would just die (this was on the 140 tune). I tried to start it again with the same result. Switched my chip to stock and it started fine. GPR and 7 glow plugs are good. Oil is 10W-30 with about 2k miles on it.

My dad is up in NC this past weekend in his 01 F250. He just had a Superchips programmer put on it the week before Christmas. He went to start the truck in the morning to let it warm up. But with the tuner set to 75hp, it would not start. He loaded the 40 light tow tune and it started right up.

Is this normal for the trucks to act like this? Or is it a sign of weak oil system (IPR/HPOP)?

[907DAVE]

Sounds like something else is causing your issues. The tuning is virtually stock during crank and idle situations in all programs.

[rammertide07]

Okay, I thought that maybe there was something a tune did in any running situation that could cause this issue. I have read a couple of other people post the same issue on other forums...not being able to start cold with a high tune. Thanks

[dietoremain]

Very odd, mine starts fine in ANY tune, no problems.

[rammertide07]

Mine does too...99% of the time. I've even started it on a cold morning (28*-30*) without it being plugged in. Its very random..only done it twice.

[907DAVE]

Sounds like it may be a GPR problem, they can be hit and miss sometimes.

[rammertide07]

Good idea. I was going to either rig up an in cab LED to get power from the driver side of the relay (gets juices only when relay is engaged) or install a double circuit/single throw switch with an LED. I'd use the switch to control the PCM ground and "key on" power source of the relay and use the LED on the switch to light up only when the relay is engaged. That way I can turn off the glow plugs just before I start (if the batteries are getting drained) or if the engine and/or outside temperature is very warm.

To my understanding the glow plugs come on as long as the oil temperature is below 130*. So unless you just ran the truck, the glow plugs would come on every time you start the truck. Just seems like more wear on the glow plug system to me when the outside temps is 90*. Probably a waste of time in some peoples eyes, but I don't have much to do around where I live and I like to tinker with my truck.

[cj45lc]

Sounds like it may be a GPR problem, they can be hit and miss sometimes.

Like Dave said CPR can be hit & miss, I had a brand new Stancor that would work when it felt like it right out of the box

[rammertide07]

Yea, while I'm not ruling out the GPR....the engine was still warm one of the times I tried starting on the 140hp tune. I wouldn't think I would have needed the GPR at that moment:shrug: