starter does nothing only when temp is near zero

[87mustang]

2003 f250 fx4 6.0 79,000 miles---this is what i got

problem:
when truck has sat for a long time (12 hours or more) in near zero temperature, starter will do nothing until i cycle the glow plugs for 5 to 10 minutes.

here's what i know:
1. batteries are working properly
2. alternator is working properly
3. this condition has never happened unless the weather gets near zero.
4. when i cycle the glow plugs, then try to start the truck, the lights in the gauge cluster act normal just like it would if it would turn over, but absolutely nothing happens. then after cycling the plugs for way too long, it will turn over just like it should and run perfectly fine.
5. it does not appear to be the shifter not being in the exact right spot to engage the starter, i already went through that.
6. sometimes i have to wiggle the ignition switch after taking the key out to make the door dinger stop dinging. but this does not drain the battery.

any help would be appreciated

[87mustang]

2003 f250 fx4 6.0 79,000 miles---this is what i got

problem:
when truck has sat for a long time (12 hours or more) in near zero temperature, starter will do nothing until i cycle the glow plugs for 5 to 10 minutes.

here's what i know:
1. batteries are working properly
2. alternator is working properly
3. this condition has never happened unless the weather gets near zero.
4. when i cycle the glow plugs, then try to start the truck, the lights in the gauge cluster act normal just like it would if it would turn over, but absolutely nothing happens. then after cycling the plugs for way too long, it will turn over just like it should and run perfectly fine.
5. it does not appear to be the shifter not being in the exact right spot to engage the starter, i already went through that.
6. sometimes i have to wiggle the ignition switch after taking the key out to make the door dinger stop dinging. but this does not drain the battery.

any help would be appreciated

[4everlearning]

Sounds to me like you need a new ignition switch and its just a coincidince that its doing it when its cold.

[87mustang]

this was my first thought, but the truck does react when i try to start the truck, the radio shuts off and the gauge cluster lights do their thing, so the truck knows that the ignition switch is being turned.

[87mustang]

nothing???

[87mustang]

bump.........