2003 6.0L Starter Engaging too Soon..

[pennery]

Okay i have an 03 60L Crew Cab SB and it does not like the Canadian Weather...
On Colder days when I turn the key to the RUN position to let the Glow Plugs Cycle the starter engages automatically, I never even make it to the Start Postition, and when it starts the starter stays engaged.. I already replaced the starter due to my wife starting the truck with the Remote Starter and letting it run for 20Min. I intially thought it was the remote starter fooling with the computer and starting the truck but I have removed the Remote Starter and the problem still persists..
I have also tried replacing the Starter Relay due to some advice from a Diesel tech... It does seem to happen in the morning when the truck has sat for a while in the cold.
Today it happened this morning (-20C), and then when I went to try it this afternoon (-9C) it was fine and started like nothing happened.
Anyone have any insight into my wierd problem...

 

[melmount]

dont know, but on some old hot rods I have had that happen, had either selenoid issues or crossed wires(arcing) at selenoid.
good luck

 

[albran]

maybe the ignition switch

 

[pennery]

This morning it was about -20C and it was doing it again.. So I thought I would try and prove my theory about it only happening in the COLD so I threw a space heater in the truck and let it warm up the inside of the cab for a little while.. Sure enough as soon as it warmed up inside the cab everything was great.. Would an ignition switch do this? How am I supposed to test the ignition switch?

 

[Crumm]

Sure enough as soon as it warmed up inside the cab everything was great.. Would an ignition switch do this?

Yes. I am guessing that the switch needs a shot of lube so it doesn't hang up when cold.

 

[pennery]

The ignition is not "sticking" though. I do not take the key to the actual "Start" position.. So there is not a chance for the ignition to stick in that position.

 

[Kleetus]

A guess might be that at colder temps, there's enough wear in it that the pins might be close enough to make contact. Either way, I'd replace the switch. With it being temperature related on a mechanical part, thermal expansion and contraction is the only answer I can see. It's not like a GM where the contact latches until the motor is started.