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Cold start problems, Low spark???

Old Feb 2, 2009 | 09:50 PM
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Question Cold start problems, Low spark???

If i start my truck when it is cold, I live in the rockies so anything below 20F. My truck will idle up and then as it comes down it just stutters and then dies. I plugged into a computer one day and it was pretty cold and it said my spark was low. Any ideas on how to fix it or maybe other problems. I just replaced my plugs in october.
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 11:57 AM
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Low spark? As in weak spark? What type of scan tool did you use? Without that scan tool info I'd consider cleaning the throttle body as a starting point, then take it from there. Could there be something wrong with the charging system not allowing for enough spark, if that's the case?
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 08:27 PM
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So what is the best way to clean my TB. I took it off today and it is not nearly as bad as what some people report, but i want to do it right.
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 08:38 PM
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All you need is a rag and some throttle body cleaner, and get all of the carbon out of it. Spray all of the passages real good too, and be sure to get the IAC valve (if equipped). What year is the truck? If it has an IAC valve, that may be the problem...
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 08:59 PM
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its an '03 6.0L. HOw do you clean the interior really well. Do you hold it open and just clean it with a rag and cleaner or???? And i got the reading off the efi live program. I just had a laptop plugged into my truck
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 09:16 PM
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I hold the blade open, spray the cleaner, and wipe it with a shop rag, rinse and repeat lol. If you have the tb off, you can get it real good from every angle.
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 09:23 PM
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Do you have any mods? Tuning? If there's nothing obvious, you could always have a tuning issue. If there is a weak spark issue, I'd be monitoring battery voltage while the problem occurs also.
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