I know this might not sound like a bad thing, but it is not normal compared to the two 97 Monteros we have, and to my knowledge, the engines are the same on the 99 Monteros as they are on the 97s.

In case folks didn't know, we bought a cherry red 99 montero loaded with every option. It has 80k miles on it with a new timing belt. water pump was not changed when they did the timing belt, why I don't know. overall, it is in good shape.

now when both my 97 monteros are cold and I go to start them, you have to crank the engine usually for at least 2-3 seconds before it kicks over.

well that is not true for this 99 montero. when it is cold, and you turn the key, almost immediately it kicks over. I am not sure why it would start like that. it just isn't characteristic of all the 3.5L monteros that we have in our family. even my brother's and my dad's 99 monteros both start like both of my 97 monteros, that is 4 monteros starting the same and then this 99 montero seems to want to kick over immediately when cold.

now when it is hot, it will crank like normal just like the other monteros we have.

anyone got any suggestions as to what would cause such a rapid turn over when cold?

Interesting problem to have.. when you say 'cold' is the truck in PA right now? What kind of temperature are you talking about?

My old '87 with the stock mikuni carb in 10 degrees would fire right up on the first crank too, Always started faster cold than when it was warm.. Same theory perhaps?

no it is in AZ, 40-80 degrees F, cold in terms of operating temperature.

it was a little neglected in my opinion in terms of fluid changes. the oil was bad compared to most I have changed and the dip stick is stained brown and discolored where the oil sits, either from being really hot, really dirty, or poor quality oil over the years, or a combination of all three.

the coolant was down right nasty, heater didn't work well, theory was clogged hoses and passageways. coolant was very rusty in color. I have flushed it numerous times with some improvement. the truck takes a long time to warm up, theory is that the termostat is stuck a little open and can't close all the way to let it get hot. probably also related to heater not working as well. will be replacing thermostat with factory mitsu thermo soon.

more to follow later.

You didn't mention millage on the respective vehicles. That's important.

First, and this is way out there, the '99 has a newer computer than the '97s. As I understand it the maps are different. This affects all kinds of things - one is cold/warm start.

Next, as vehicles get older things degrade. The most obvious is wiring connections and sensors.

A lot more likely are simple things like spark plugs (age and type), spark plug wires, battery, battery terminals, battery cable connections and engine/chassis grounds.

My '97 3.0L Sport was behaving EXACTLY like that for the last several years - irrespective of outside temps. Over the last year and a half I replaced and fixed a dozen problems - all age/use related (KIM, my '97 has 415,000 miles and and the only things that had ever been replaced that would affect starting/running was the battery, terminals and alternator.)

NOW, all I have to do even in 0 degree weather is hit the starter for a second or two - even if it's been sitting outside in freezing cold for a day or two.

In order of things to check:

1) Battery/alternator
2) Battery terminals
3) Battery cable connections
4) Chassis/engine ground connections

Specifically check for large voltage drops 2-4. Make sure the battery is good AND that the alternator is completely charging the battery. APPARENT failure in 1 can actually be 2, 3 or 4 - or 2, 3 AND 4. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Dirty and/or loose connections are the most common and least apparent but always the most likely cause of what you're experiencing. Old and/or undersized batteries are next.

5) Spark plugs/wires
6) IAC sensor - the equivelent of the choke/idle circuit on computer controlled vehicles. BTW, I was told the IAC was improved in '98 or '99 - the testing specs I received for my new one are different that stated in my '97 service manual.

Anything below here would show other symptoms and probably have nothing to do with your question. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

7) Ignition coils
8) Fuel system
9) ECU

Edward

415k! That's AWESOME! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I have actually had this happen with my Sport after I got my motorcycle and it sat for a few days at a time. It would sit 3-4 days at a time, and if I went to start it all I had to do was touch the key to start and it was running strong.

This would go away the next time I started it, unless it had sat again. Does your sit for prolonged periods?

yeah, that is kinda what happened, it sat for a long time (I was deployed, wife only used it once every 2 weeks or so). now that I have been using it more often, it is back to normal. wonder how and why that happens. oh well, no problems, no worries.