Cold Start Issues
 

So I went out to start the car for the first time in about a week but she just wouldn't do it. Granted it is currently 30 degrees out it should have started. I was out there for a good 20 minutes trying it. Also, after I kept turning the key the starter seemed to be getting weaker and weaker about 15 minutes into it. Any idea what could have caused this? Thanks in advance.

-Neal

you probably drained the battery in the process.. did u try to jump it?

Dunno if this is your case, but I've had older/heavily used batteries die(will no longer hold a charge) a few times. They always seem to die on a cold winter day. So I say jump the car, check the alt and make sure the battery is holding a charge.

The battery is damn near brand new. I picked up my optima red top a little over a month ago. But I do think I drained the battery so I'll just try jumping it tomorrow.

-Neal

umm.... batteries dont have unlimited energy....................

I know that, I am saying that the battery usually doesn't die that quickly.

Put a battery jumper on the car and try it, should turn over. Happened to me when i would leave the car sit over a week in the winter. (i dont do that now anymore)

I did a few searches and apparently the winter drains the battery alot quicker. Hopefully thats all it is and I'll post the results tomorrow.

-Neal

Yeah, winter/cool temps seem to drain a battery fast on FDs. I've had the same problem where it sat for a few days, and just wouldn't turn over. So I say try to jump it or charge it some and see what happens.

Update: Although the battery was dead that wasn't the main problem. Apparently one of her fuses was loose so after I jumped the battery I reinserted the fuse and she started just fine. :)

do you have a PFC? If so, you might need to adjust the cold start enrichment setting

Not yet, thats what christmas is for :bigthumb:

I suggest not letting your car sit for long periods of time. If you have to, disconnect the neg terminal of your battery. That or just start your car like every 4 days, (i do it every 3 days, example: i start it monday, next day ill start it is thursday), thats what im doing now.

OR if you want a good battery that you dont have to maintain much is getting a yellow top optima. Pretty pricey but a damn good battery. I remember not using my car for 11 days back in the summer when i went on vacation and when i went to start it, it cranked like i just had it on 1 hour prior. No sound or action of a dying battery.

Seems like I will be outside in the cold a little more often starting her up ;)

Yeah, or combine other chores so you dont feel lazy to do it lol

Like sometimes when i have to take out the trash, i will start the car first, then take out the trash, maybe sweep up the driveway a bit. Then after like 5-10 minutes, shut her off. Then do it again a couple of days later.