Community Forums

Chuck Linn · 01-14-2009, 03:06 AM

When the coach is cold and i go to start it and the air temp is in the 20s or lower on initial start up it sounds as tho the starter is hanging up anyone else have this happen as soon as the engine warms up it quits and doesn't repeat until next day

Chuck Linn · 01-14-2009, 03:06 AM

When the coach is cold and i go to start it and the air temp is in the 20s or lower on initial start up it sounds as tho the starter is hanging up anyone else have this happen as soon as the engine warms up it quits and doesn't repeat until next day

DriVer · 01-14-2009, 04:53 AM

It would be unusual for a solenoid to hang and allow the drive pinion to remain engaged in the flywheel. Typically the inertia of the engine's flywheel will help disengage the drive pinion. There is also a spring that actually disengages the pinion when voltage is removed from the solenoid.

I don't have to deal with those types of temperatures here in SC however it is going to be getting a little colder here over the next few days but good news is that we are leaving for Florida.

What's unusual about the sound that you are describing is that it doesn't repeat on subsequent restarts during the day after the warm up. If your pinion or ring gear are damaged you are going to want to see if that's the case and get that resolved.

Warranties are in place to address these types of conditions and when you are early in your ownership this is where you would expect to be able to trap a problem. Your best resource at this time would be to call Workhorse Roadside Assistance at 877-946-7731 (877-W-HORSE). They will direct you to the closest service facility.

troth · 01-14-2009, 04:59 AM

Chuck Linn, I did an advanced search (see magnifying glass above) on the Workhorse Forum and found the following:

Cold start noise

**Petro** · 01-14-2009, 05:47 AM

Chuck Linn;

I have a power steering pump growl when I start up in cold weather. I classify it as normal because it has been doing it for years. I have another noise and that is the 12 volt Hadley air pump for the horns. When it gets cold (it is 0 right now)the seals in the air lines shrink and it loses just enough air to force the air pump to start up as well.

RustyJC · 01-14-2009, 05:52 AM

The hydroboost system (power steering and brakes) on Cummins-powered Dodge Rams of my truck's vintage was prone to growling in low ambient temperature conditions (below 30 degF). This was caused by high viscosity of the cold fluid. Switching to synthetic fluid took care of the problem because of the synthetic's more stable viscosity in cold conditions.

Rusty

DriVer · 01-14-2009, 05:29 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
Switching to synthetic fluid took care of the problem because of the synthetic's more stable viscosity in cold conditions. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Thanks Rusty!