Hard steering on cold start

There are several possibilities for this problem. A "cold start" sequence is suppose to activate based on water temperature and the signal from the water temperature sensor. This makes the fuel rich and adjusts timing to make the engine run better when cold. It works like a choke only it is electronic.

There may be 2 sensors with one making the dash gauges work and the other doing the engine controls. If not 2, then 1 sensor would do the whole job.

Another possibility is an air leak in the fuel system which makes the system bleed dry overnight. It is far less common on gas engines but happens a lot on diesels.

Some earlier Ford engines from 1984 to I don't know when they stopped on trucks, would use a step-up solenoid on the accelerator bracket that worked off water temperature. Sometimes a bad water thermostat would make the temperature controls malfunction the other way (High idle, clicking, low idle) that would stall and engine as the temperature vary.

Sounds like a wire connection or a plug in some where, it could be hard to fine.

Need year/make/model/mileage of vehicle to provide a more specific set of troubleshooting steps.

When was the last tune up? Hard starts when cold are usually caused by fouled spark plugs, worn plug wires, or weak ignition coils. Fuel systems are not as effected by temperature changes as the ignition components.

SOUND LIKE FUEL LINES GETTING AIR IN THEM.

Sounds like the electronic module needs to be replaced. Unplug the old one take out the mounting screws get a new one at the auto parts place plug it in replace the mounting screws and it should be ready to go it's not hard

You may want to check the Vacuum lines if there are leaks. Check also Fast Idle Thermo Valve, which controls the idling at cold starts. If you have a carb, check the idle up valve.

I hate to be the barer of bad news, but may be the head gasket.

My car started with rough idle. Then very hard to start in cold weather. Next started overheating, but no output from heater. Trickling sound from behind dash board. Overflow bottle overflowing.......

I replaced the water pump, radiator cap, thermostat, coolant, fan belts, power flushed the system. Nothing worked. Some research gave me the answer.

The head gasket leak was allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system, displacing the coolant. After use, as engine cools, coolant is sucked back into the system and coolant seeps into the cylinder. This gets worse over time.

First thing you'll notice is the rough idle as the spark plug burns off the coolant in the cylinder. (This is especially true at low temperatures.) If it is the head gasket, the other symptoms will follow as time goes by.

time to have the injectors replace and calibrated by an accredited diesel specialist shop
indicates squirting and not atomizing

The engine temp sensor is located at the back of the engine above the gearbox. It is usually green with 4 wires if there is only one sensor, or 2 wires if there are 2 seperate sensors. make sure engine is cold, remove plug, then slide clip out and pull sensor free.

TL

The correct spark plugs are very important. Glad to hear you got it fixed good.