740 Cold Weather Starting Problems

[jdunville]

Have a '87 740, non-turbo, that has suddenly started not taking to
cold weather.

Turn the ignition on and the seat belt light is the only light on the
dash that illuminates. Lights work, radio works, antenna raises and
lowers, etc, and can turn the engone over, but the ECU will not allow
the fuel pump relay to energize and the motor to start.

I assume the ECU is responsible for turning oil pressure, check engine
lights, etc. on.

Once the lamps illuminate car starts and runs perfectly. Once warm the
lights come on immediately upon turning the key and starts fine,

Takes as much as 4-5 minutes to get things going and I thought my '80
240 Diesel was cold natured.

Any suggestions, hints or magic wands would be greatly appreciated.

Joe
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[Stuart Gray]

Have a '87 740, non-turbo, that has suddenly started not taking to
cold weather.

Turn the ignition on and the seat belt light is the only light on the
dash that illuminates. Lights work, radio works, antenna raises and
lowers, etc, and can turn the engone over, but the ECU will not allow
the fuel pump relay to energize and the motor to start.

I assume the ECU is responsible for turning oil pressure, check engine
lights, etc. on.

Once the lamps illuminate car starts and runs perfectly. Once warm the
lights come on immediately upon turning the key and starts fine,

Takes as much as 4-5 minutes to get things going and I thought my '80
240 Diesel was cold natured.

Any suggestions, hints or magic wands would be greatly appreciated.

Joe
Remove the "nospam" if replying via email.

There is a thin red wire that runs from the alternator, check that it is in
good condition and has a good contact.

 

[jdunville]

There is a thin red wire that runs from the alternator, check that it is in
good condition and has a good contact.

Brushed and sanded the connector to no avail. Was not in vain, as
there was some corrosion on the contact though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mike F]

Have a '87 740, non-turbo, that has suddenly started not taking to
cold weather.

Turn the ignition on and the seat belt light is the only light on the
dash that illuminates. Lights work, radio works, antenna raises and
lowers, etc, and can turn the engone over, but the ECU will not allow
the fuel pump relay to energize and the motor to start.

I assume the ECU is responsible for turning oil pressure, check engine
lights, etc. on.

Once the lamps illuminate car starts and runs perfectly. Once warm the
lights come on immediately upon turning the key and starts fine,

Takes as much as 4-5 minutes to get things going and I thought my '80
240 Diesel was cold natured.

Any suggestions, hints or magic wands would be greatly appreciated.

Joe
Remove the "nospam" if replying via email.

The alternator is what is responsible for turning all warning lights on
before starting except the oil light. Low oil pressure takes care of
that one. The fact that none work leads me to believe you have a
problem with your ignition switch.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)