# Can you solve this one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** continental, lincoln, start\ **Created:** [December 30, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524 "2009-12-30T17:37:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![irishstout1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7ba0ec/32.png) [@irishstout1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irishstout1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/1 "2009-12-30T17:37:17Z")
1999 LINCOLN CONT. STARTS FINE, BUT IN VERY COLD WILL NOT START, any suggestions appreciated, besides getting rid of, lol. thanks, rob ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/2 "2009-12-30T17:51:38Z")
Try holding the gas pedal half way down to start it when it is so cold that it normally won’t start. If it starts and runs while you hold the gas down, then the Idle Air Bypass Valve would be your prime suspect. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/3 "2009-12-30T18:26:39Z")
Is it turning over okay when it’s cold? If it’s just cranking slowly or not at all in cold weather, you just need to replace the battery. ---
**Author:** ![irishstout1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7ba0ec/32.png) [@irishstout1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irishstout1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/4 "2009-12-30T19:40:34Z")
Greasyjack, thanks for reply, battery is cranking over fine. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/5 "2009-12-31T01:37:47Z")
When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? How old are the spark plugs and wires? Does it seem like it is more of a problem in damp weather? ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/6 "2009-12-31T03:04:10Z")
No wires…COPS ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/7 "2009-12-31T03:10:24Z")
When you suspect it will not start, open the hood and and air cleaner box and give the air filter a big squirt of starting fluid. Close up the box and hood and see if it will start…If it does, then the engine is not getting enough fuel when it’s cold…A bad temperature sensor or ECM… ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 4:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-you-solve-this-one/41524/8 "2009-12-31T04:52:52Z")
I don’t think it’s a good idea to spray the starting fluid into the AIR FILTER BOX. Spray it in the air intake tube PAST the MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor, nearer the throttle body. The starter fluid might (or, might not) damage the MAF Sensor. Why take the chance?