Starting Problems

[lilmike2069]

I'm having some problems with my car not wanting to start. Its usually when its really cold outside and has been sitting for a while but its not consistent in its behavior... only occassionally does it do this. This has been happening for a couple of weeks now, usually it only f's off for a couple of turns of the key and then starts up no problem, but today it took a while.

The symptoms:
If I stick the key in and turn, nothing will happen. Sometimes there will be a single click, sometimes not even that. No lights dim or anything like that. This may happen for a couple of tries. On some rarer occassions, I'll get like one or 2 turnovers like something was catching or whatever. After say a few more tries.... She'll start up strong as can be like nothing happened.

I'm certain it is not the battery. My suspicion is that it may be the starter. The only reason i'm not 100% sure its not the starter is because I thought that if it was a starter problem, it wouldnt even try to turn over. Does anyone here have any insight as to what the problem might be??

[GzNutz]

Cold weather should never effect the starter unless it was filled with water and frozen. The most probable explaination to me would be the battery. My car was great this year until two weeks ago...hesitant starts...replaced the battery and have had normal warm weather like starts.

Taken from About.com-
Question: Why Do Batteries Discharge More Quickly in Cold Weather?

Answer: The electric current generated by a battery is produced when a connection is made between its positive and negative terminals. When the terminals are connected, a chemical reaction is initiated that generates electrons to supply the current of the battery. Lowering the temperature causes chemical reactions to proceed more slowly, so if a battery is used at a low temperature then less current is produced than at a higher temperature. As the batteries run down they quickly reach the point where they cannot deliver enough current to keep up with the demand. If the battery is warmed up again it will operate normally.


Hope this helps.

[Chinky420]

^ Mr. Wizard in the house

but considering that it may not be a battery discharge problem (since he's using it as a daily driver), i would recommend having autozone people check out the alternator and the battery.

if for no other reason, then for sake of mind.

if your battery is low already (i.e. the chemical solution is mostly evaporated), then you may need to service the battery (add more distilled water), or get a new battery.

are there no other symptoms? i.e. misfiring when driving, knocking, anything?

[NightRider]

After reading what GzNutz said. That sounds like more of the issue is w/ the battery. Have that checked out possibility it can be the alternator as well.

Keep us posted.