Is the cold weather doing this to my car?

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

IF your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Walmart.

Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?3829 – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $35.

I have always had problems starting my car(s) in the winter. They will do exactly what you descirbed. Everytime I get the motor up to temperature the car will be fine when I have to restart. I have always chalked it up to the cold natured-ness of the car.

srothfuss said:

I have always had problems starting my car(s) in the winter. They will do exactly what you descirbed. Everytime I get the motor up to temperature the car will be fine when I have to restart. I have always chalked it up to the cold natured-ness of the car.

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EFI cars are supposed to crank and fire quickly on the first crank, even in cold weather. Ford when to great efforts to make sure that happens. When an EFI car doesn't start up quickly, something needs a bit of tuning or repair.

jrichker said:

EFI cars are supposed to crank and fire quickly on the first crank, even in cold weather. Ford when to great efforts to make sure that happens. When an EFI car doesn't start up quickly, something needs a bit of tuning or repair.

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I completely agree. I bought the vert last Thanksgiving (at the onset of cold weather for us in Michigan.) I spent the winter fixing the Heater Core and a coolant leak out of the timing cover. I didn't have a chance to do any type of tune up work or diagnosis. In the spring ('05) I changed out a lot of tune up parts and dumped codes (code 33 - fixed) and the car ran so much better.... This winter will be the true test of my cold weather problems from last year. As of our first snow fall and extended cold weather, my car has started on the first crank and ran without stalling.