1996 Mariner 175 efi cold weather starting

[Elishaman]

My 175 mariner starts and idles fine down to about 40 degrees f. At lower temperature it will start and immediately die. Getting it started after that is a bear. It will spin and fire just enough to kick the starter bendix out. I will have to do this 30 to 40 times to get it to keep running. I keep the battery charger on the NEW battery all night before. I have tried pushing the throttle forward to set idle speed up when starting but it makes no difference. Since it is efi there is no choke so fuel delivery is controlled by the control module and probably a temperature sensor. I have checked the air temperature sensor according to the service manual and it falls within the resistance parameters. I have a new primer bulb and new fuel filer installed. Always garage kept and well maintained. I talked to my local marine mechanic and he told me that this is normal cold weather starting for this motor that hey are just cold nature. HELP PLEASE