What to do if the truck is difficult to start in winter?

The phenomenon of "difficult to start or unable to start" is particularly common in winter. What causes this malfunction? Can it be eliminated by yourself? How should we prevent it during routine maintenance?

▎Preliminary investigation

● Confirm whether the vehicle has power

Whether the vehicle has power cannot be directly judged by whether the instrument indicator light is on or off. The instrument indicator light does not mean that the vehicle has power. If you can hear a "click" sound when the key is turned on, the vehicle may be low on power and cannot be started. However, the instrument light can generally light up normally when the power is low. Do not start the vehicle frequently at this time to avoid damaging the battery.

● Check whether the vehicle has enough fuel

The vehicle may not start if it is short of fuel. If this is the case, you can add fuel of the appropriate temperature by yourself.

● Vehicle protection function

Some models have a start protection function, which requires the clutch switch to be pressed or the gear to be in neutral position before starting. If your vehicle has this function, just start the vehicle correctly according to the manufacturer's operation.

▎Difficulty starting the vehicle with or without electricity

● If it has been confirmed that the vehicle has electricity, but it stalls again after starting, it may be that the oil-water separator and the oil circuit have air in them. You can find a hand oil pump to exhaust the air, loosen the bolts slightly, and then start the vehicle with electricity. At this time, the gas in the oil circuit can be discharged. After the vehicle starts, tighten the bolts again. 

● If the battery is fully charged, check the starter fuse and ECU fuse again to see if they are blown. Re-plug the starter relay and ECU relay, and restart to see if the start is successful. If it still fails to start, contact maintenance personnel.

  ● When the battery power is low, the starter will be unable to run and the engine cannot be started;

● Most vehicles now have electronically controlled engines, and when the electronically controlled engine computer is not powered or the starting circuit is not powered, it will cause difficulty in starting the engine.

▎Possible faulty parts

● Diesel filter: If the diesel filter is clogged, air will enter the oil circuit, which will cause the fuel pump to malfunction and not work, so the air filter and diesel filter need to be regularly maintained.

● Battery: If the battery has a power supply failure or cannot store electricity, the battery needs to be replaced; the power line is not well connected; the structure and material defects cause the battery pile spring pad to burst and fall off;

● Wire harness: The wiring harness connector does not match; the wiring harness terminal has poor contact; the wiring harness is damaged, etc., resulting in signal disconnection or short circuit; poor iron contact, etc. will cause starting difficulties.

● Starter: The coil and welding fixing method are incorrect, resulting in starter failure. Failure of sensors such as the starter relay and crankshaft position sensor will also cause starting failure;

● Internal fault of the generator itself, the wiring harness inside the generator may be burned, disconnected or short-circuited, resulting in starting difficulties.

● ECU: There are defects in the underlying data part of the ECU, which makes the ECU have no output, resulting in the vehicle being unable to start;

▎Special Tips:

● When the vehicle is driven to cold areas in winter, freezing may occur if diesel fuel with a lower freezing point is not used.