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Car Won't Start in Cold Weather
Katie_G_Lynn
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
I am having trouble with my car starting in cold weather. However, when I say cold weather I mean something like 50 degrees, which isn't really very cold. I first had this problem about a year ago, so I had the battery checked and then replaced because it was dead. About a month later, the problem suddenly came back. I had it looked at and was told it may have something to do with the stereo I had put in not long before the problem first started. They fiddled around with it and said they hoped it would fix it, but didn't charge me. Then, the car worked fine for a while longer. Then, once again, the car wouldn't start in cold weather. After a little while it went away again. I'm guessing that had to do with winter being over. However, a year later, the problem is back.
When I try to start the car, it either cranks and then doesn't start or else it starts and then dies. I only have this problem when the weather is below 50 or my car has been sitting all night. Sometimes the car will start after a few tries. Other times it won't start until the sun has been on it for a while. At this point, I don't know what is wrong, and whatever self-diagnosis I might have for it is poor and unreliable. I've googled around trying to find some answers, but I'm hoping to find an inexpensive and efficient way to solve this. I will probably take it to a mechanic in a couple of days, but before I do that I would like to know what it might be, how much it should cost, and what I might do myself to fix it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
When I try to start the car, it either cranks and then doesn't start or else it starts and then dies. I only have this problem when the weather is below 50 or my car has been sitting all night. Sometimes the car will start after a few tries. Other times it won't start until the sun has been on it for a while. At this point, I don't know what is wrong, and whatever self-diagnosis I might have for it is poor and unreliable. I've googled around trying to find some answers, but I'm hoping to find an inexpensive and efficient way to solve this. I will probably take it to a mechanic in a couple of days, but before I do that I would like to know what it might be, how much it should cost, and what I might do myself to fix it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Katie_G_Lynn on
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Does the starter seem to be working? Do you hear a faint 'click' when it's turning over?
I had a sub put in at a shop but they left a small part of wire touching metal in my trunk, which basically caused the battery to drain continually.
Maybe a wire is loose somewhere and is touching exposed metal, causing a drain on your juice?
Something I did before trying the amp fuse was to disconnect one of the battery terminals if I was going to let the car sit for more than about 12 hours. Kind of a pain, but it kept the car running. Alternatively there are battery kill switches that can be installed to make the process easier.
I have one (the Junior model) for my 73 Chevy, it's got a slow discharge from the dashboard clock so if I know it's going to sit for more than a week I will plug it in. The battery is behind the driver's seat so disconnecting it or jumping it is a huge pain.