A different cold start problem

[GrayKnight]

Another newbie here. I searched but couldn't find a problem like I'm having. If I missed a relevant thread, could somebody give me a pointer?

Here's the situation: my '99 Yukon 5.7L 4wd (196K miles) starts perfectly when the temp is above 40 degrees. Between 32 and 40 it will sometimes start. Below freezing it won't. When it doesn't start, what happens is that I turn the key, hear a few clicks that sound like they're coming from inside the dash to the left of the steering wheel, and that's it. The gear indicator light comes on showing the truck is in park, and the gauges register, but none of the dash indicator lights such as seat belt, air bag, Check Engine, brake, etc. lights up. When it *does* start, all lights and indicators act as they should. Also, when it starts there's no lag -- it just fires right up.

I'd suspect the ignition switch, but here's the truly weird thing -- at normal startup my aftermarket stereo comes on with all of the previously programmed settings. When the truck fails to start, all the programming in the stereo is lost and the unit returns to factory settings. This would seem to indicate that power from the battery to the stereo is being interrupted, and that doesn't sound like the ignition switch to me.

Any and all advice and suggestions will be appreciated. The weather's warming up and I'd like to get this sorted out before it gets so warm I can no longer reproduce the problem.

Thanks!

 

[squeasel]

question: do you need to recharge your battery after the car fails to start? If so, perhaps something related to temperature is draining the battery (heated seats etc). If not, try taking a volt meter and nab some readings at easily accessible spots when warm, then get the same reading when cold. That might confirm your suspicion of limited electricty. Best of luck.

 

[SunlitComet]

your radio uses battery direct feed to retain setting normally so find out where that connects and work you way back in the system until you find the cold failing component.

 

[GrayKnight]

question: do you need to recharge your battery after the car fails to start? If so, perhaps something related to temperature is draining the battery (heated seats etc). If not, try taking a volt meter and nab some readings at easily accessible spots when warm, then get the same reading when cold. That might confirm your suspicion of limited electricty. Best of luck.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never had to recharge the battery -- it's fairly new and the V-O meter shows no significant drop when starting in warm weather. I even swapped batteries with my SO temporarily, but no difference.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

your radio uses battery direct feed to retain setting normally so find out where that connects and work you way back in the system until you find the cold failing component.

I'm not sure I understand. Is there some component other than the battery that's common to the radio and the ignition switch? Sorry -- I can handle most mechanical issues but electrical stuff mystifies me.

 

[SunlitComet]

radios have a constant battery feed which is used normally for memory retention and the main power supply. the ignition feed wire to radio is used to trigger power on/off. So what i am saying is that if memory setting are lost it is not likely the ignition switch but the circuits that feed the constant power wire on your radio. if possible when really cold get a wiring diagram of vehicle and follow the radio and starting circuits back to the battery and you might find where the break in electricity is. consider things like loose or corroded fuses or wire connections.

 

[lowmji1]

I have a 2002 yukon xl slt with 170,000.

I am having the same issue...not sure it is weather related though. I have already replaced my starter, ignition switch, and brake stop lamp switch on brake pedal, and had a new coded key made. Battery has also been replaced and tested.

I also found today my radio clock was off by 6hrs and I had not disconnected the battery. Truck usually wont start out of the blue and then once it cranks over the first time, it will crank repeatedly without issues. I noticed my red battery light will stay on as well.

Ironically, I can play with gear shifter while holding key in start position and only on some occassions when I let it roll in nuetral then as i put back in park it sometimes will crank.

I'm thinking it coul d be a ground related to nuetral safety switch and shared by radio......Any other thoughts?

 

[SunlitComet]

A battery light on indicate internal problems with the alternator and it must be replaced.