- Nov 20, 2011
- 728
Ok everyone, so my brother is complaining that the 02 TB isnt starting when it gets to 0F or below in Bozeman, MT. Now that the TB and I am back in Seattle, naturally its my turn to take a crack at it and fix it.
Battery is a year old, bought it last December at Costco. Its at least 700cca, was the biggest one I could shove under the battery box.
Starter is original from Nov. 01 when the TB was built.
Alternator is also original.
Ignition switch is also original (amazing for a truck that just turned 10!).
Unfortunately since this only happens when its ~0F outside and Seattle's anywhere from mid 20s-45F right now, I cant have him reproduce the conditions. Im thinking either a battery with a dead cell or a bad starter. What points me to the battery is if someone jumps it, he can fire it up right away and drive away. If it was a bad starter, having another car supplying voltage and amps shouldnt make it work, but I might be wrong. Could be the ignition switch, thats cheap at $40 so I might throw a new one in and see if that fixes it.
Any ideas? Ill get a new battery from Costco on Monday when I have time, but I don't know if this is symptomatic of a bad starter or not (never had one fail on me). $185 + tax minimum is steep if it doesnt need to be replaced.
Battery is a year old, bought it last December at Costco. Its at least 700cca, was the biggest one I could shove under the battery box.
Starter is original from Nov. 01 when the TB was built.
Alternator is also original.
Ignition switch is also original (amazing for a truck that just turned 10!).
Unfortunately since this only happens when its ~0F outside and Seattle's anywhere from mid 20s-45F right now, I cant have him reproduce the conditions. Im thinking either a battery with a dead cell or a bad starter. What points me to the battery is if someone jumps it, he can fire it up right away and drive away. If it was a bad starter, having another car supplying voltage and amps shouldnt make it work, but I might be wrong. Could be the ignition switch, thats cheap at $40 so I might throw a new one in and see if that fixes it.
Any ideas? Ill get a new battery from Costco on Monday when I have time, but I don't know if this is symptomatic of a bad starter or not (never had one fail on me). $185 + tax minimum is steep if it doesnt need to be replaced.