Slow crank in cold temps - less than 20* F **update with fix

EAB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:39 pm **Posts:** 141

So winter is coming and one thing that has concerned me is my CRD cranks slow when the temp is under 20* F. I'm not always able to plug it in. I have a 2 year old 800cca battery that still tests good. I'm using 0-40 oil. I turn the key on for 10 seconds at least before cranking. I was wondering if this is the way they are or if I have a problem, possibly a cable problem or the starter doesn't like the cold... I did a search but didn't find anything on this issue. Thanks

I'll update this post. I checked the voltage drop on the pos and neg cables, the neg was higher than the pos (.06V) so I added a cable I had from the battery negative to one of the starter bolts but that didn't help. So I bit the bullet and tried a starter and that was it. It's gotten down to 10*F and cranks good instead of a few turn then nothing.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:46 pm

I don't have a crd, but when I used to drive a 6.0L Ford PS, she'd turn over but after 6 or so key turns. turn it to ACC, then off that many times. the glow plugs need to heat up as hot as possible. that and starter fluid works really good.

once the glow plug coil goes away on the dash, the glow plugs are in active. that's at least how ford does it. not sure how jeep did it.

Billwill · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:52 am

Sluggish turn over when cold can only be a bad battery, poor battery connections including the grounding strap from engine to chassis or the wrong viscosity oil being used.

The glow plugs actually do carry on getting a pulsed voltage for some time after the light has gone out so it is worth waiting a while before starting but that has got nothing to do with a sluggish turnover.

Yeti · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:58 am

add some anti fuel freezing like Power service in White Bottle , turn the key on and wait 10 second , max GP's duty cycle , and recycle the key again wait 6-10 second and cranck

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:22 am

Are you sure the battery is good?
It just may not be good enough to crank this engine over in really cold weather.
Some folks use a battery warmer for below freezing temps.

If the battery is good, then the problem may be with the starter.
A worn out starter will require more amps to crank.
That, or corroded/loose connections at the starter.

rjmaype · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:21 pm

I think synthetic oil will help.

If you are using a battery warmer, you might as well use a battery trickle charger on a timer for about 1 hour prior to use.

After 10 years with this motor, a three your old battery will strand you in the winter.

Slow crank in cold temps - less than 20* F **update with fix

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