Similar to a thread below--just recently, after having a new air intake installed, I notice that early morning cold starts are difficult. I always plug in below 40* It used to fire right up; now it takes several cranking sessions. Infidel, in a thread below about this same issue, mentioned that one of the intake heater grids might be bad.

I will be performing some tests from the link Infidel listed below, but my question is, if I have to replace these grids, how much do they cost? Where do you get them?

 

Usually not the grid, but the Solenoids, last time I had to buy them they were 60 ish bucks from Rock Auto.

You could do the Ford starter relay changeover as well.

Doubt it is the Heaters though, all of mine have started right up unless it was very cold ( 0 or below ) without the heater functioning, they might chug a bit more, but they fired right off.

Do you give it a bit of throttle?

 

"Do you give it a bit of throttle?"

I never used to have to, it would fire right up with me standing outside the truck as soon as the WTS light went out. Now I have tried depressing the throttle as I fire it, but it is just coldblooded. When it finally starts it stumbles on idle, but only for a few seconds.

 

Reason I say that is I never had an owners manual until I bought this second 97, and it says 1/4 throttle on cold start.

Mine won't rotate a quarter turn before it fires unless it is extra cold out now.

By air intake I assume you mean the K&N, or did you put a fancy smooth flow intake tube from the Intercooler tubing to the grid heater?

 

Very timely post, pat. I knew I should have hunted up an owners manual

i went out this morning, turned the key to wait for the WTS light, it went out, and I pumped the throttle a couple times. Fired right up. I have had a K&N since i just bought it--just added the fancy intake manifold and exhaust manifold. Sorry it wasn't clear, and thanks a lot. The nice thing it is plenty cold every morning so I can try the proposed solution every morning when I start.