Mitsubishi Repair: Mitsubishi van cold starting problem, barometric pressure sensor, spark plug wires

Question
Hi,

I have a 1990 Mitsubishi van with a cold starting problem.
I park outside a few blocks from the ocean.  I have to crank the engine repeatedly for 5 mins. or so, on and off,  in the morning before it finally starts.  Sometimes I come close to dejuicing the battery.  Occasionally I'm able to park in a garage and in that case it cranks right up in the morning every time.   I've already replaced the distrubutor cap, rotor, spark plug wires and they did absolutely nothing to help.  My computer has been rebuilt and checks OK.  I've also noticed in the winter that this problem gets worse.  The colder the temperature outside the longer it takes to start, warm up and become driveable.  Once I get the engine started I can shut it off and restart easy the rest of the day, although if it is cold outside it may not want to start again later that same day.  Is this a temperature problem?  Mositure/humidity problem?

Was hoping you could point me to something to look at here.
Thanks!

Answer
JC: Had a car a lot on this same order, only no ocean there but still it would not start very good when it sat out in the cold. But once started it did ok, I replaced the Intake Air Temperature sensor and the Barometric Pressure sensor. Now those are costly sensors but for that car, it fixed it. So you might see if you can have those two sensors tested in your van. The computer is only as good as the sensors through out the engine. Sometimes when a sensor is weak or bad the computer will kick on the check engine light. But I have seen when it hasn't for some reason. The other thing would be to check the battery, how old is the cables and do they need to be cleaned where they hook to the battery. Well there are some ideas to check and I hope something will get to you to the bottom of your problem. God bless: Linda