QuestionHello Anthony,
I was the one who had once sent to you a complete description (very well detailed)as to how and why I was having issues with cold weather startup.
This was basically the engine dying in really cold weather.
I never really got a chance to do anything about it ( I was suggested: air filter, fuel filter change).
Somehow that problem went away (maybe after a thorough oil change etc).
NEW ISSUES:
I am currently living in Houston ( previously it was Dallas ).
Here is how it goes:
Around the start of November 2003 I flew out of the United States for work for 2 months and got back only after the first week of January 2004.
I had asked my roommate to give the car a start every now n then so that it wouldnt go cold (he never did).
Now when I got back 11th Jan 2004, I needed a JUMPSTART from a friend to get my car up and running. He recommended that I should atleast drive it around, so I we decided that I would crash at his place that night and I drove to his place in my car (around 30-35 mins drive 25-30 miles away.
Next morning 12th I drove back to my area (same 25-30 miles) and fortunately I did not need a JUMPSTART because the battery had gotten charged decently.
From 12th to the 18th of Jan 2004 I would take the usual 3-4 mile drive to my work every morning and back in the evening.
Ofcourse during this entire period I would have to most of the times step a little on the gas pedal to make sure it started up when i cranked the ignition. That would get it running. From what I gathered it was just a matter of time before the startups got normal. (No need for a JUMPSTART all throughout).
19th of Jan 2004 (Monday - Martin Luther King day) I did not step out or use the car at all. (Last use was 17th Jan Sunday evening around 5:30-6 ish.)
19th Night around 7:30-8 pm I wanted to head out and my car wouldnt start. It would give a "click" sound (the battery light did show up). At times when I cranked it, it would make a slight (uhh.. uhh..(chug.. chugg.. - very shortly). Then eventually it went to the CLICK.
Luckily I got a JUMPSTART from someone around and headed out and drove the same 25-30 miles to my friends place.
20th Morning 8:15/20 a.m. - Need a JUMPSTART again ( Same symptoms - Click - Slight Uhh... Chug.. Click .. everytime I try to crank the ignition).
Drive around 15 minutes (5 miles) to a place I had some work.
20th Morning 10:30 a.m. - Able to start up (with similar extra gas pedal to start it up)
Drive around 35-40 mins back to my work.
Stop at Sandwich place and pick up something to eat. Around 10 mins at the place.
Drive around 5 mins to my office.
20th Evening 8 pm - Need JUMPSTART again. Starts with same gas pedal thing.
20th Night (21st morning 12:30am or 1 am) - before I sleep I start it in an attempt to keep it warm for the morning when I have to go to work. STARTS with gas pedal. Run it idle for 2 mins.
Sleep.
21st morning (8:30 p.m.) - Same story - Need jumpstart.
SUMMARY:
- 2 months Idle - JUMPSTART - Drive 35 mins TWICE
- 1 week starts with a little gas pedalling - Its kind of cold for Houston ( due to cold wave)
- 1 day car Idle - REALLY COLD (Super coldwave) - Need JUMPSTART - 3 times since then -
- Night - Morning - Night - Today Morning.
NOTE: It has been a little extra cold for Houston this time due to the cold wave across the US.
I am attaching the temperatures for past days as I find them online.
QUESTION: WHAT COULD BE WRONG? BATTERY ? STARTER ? JUST NEED TO DRIVE IT MORE ? What do I need to check at the local AutoZone or Garage and ensure that I dont change or replace something I dont need to that costs me a lot?
I managed to get a CHILTON Repair Manual. Please do let me know if I should try it myself if it is not something overly complicated.
Thanks a lot in advance and for the insight you have imparted as before.
ATTACHED TEMPERATURES:
Reported High Low Precip
Conditions (F) (F) (in.)
Yesterday 52° 37° 0
Jan 20 Avg. 63° 45° --
Monthly Avg. 63° 45° 4.25
Records 82° 19° --
-1972 -1989
Last 7 Days 70° 37° 1.37
Month to Date 77° 35° 2.3
20-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:53 AM 40° 35° 33° 77% Unlimited 30.16
1:53 AM 42° 39° 32° 67% Unlimited 30.15
2:53 AM 40° 35° 33° 77% Unlimited 30.17
3:53 AM 38° 34° 33° 83% Unlimited 30.19
4:53 AM 39° 34° 34° 82% Unlimited 30.19
5:53 AM 38° 33° 34° 86% Unlimited 30.19
6:53 AM 39° 33° 34° 82% Unlimited 30.2
7:53 AM 39° 33° 35° 86% Unlimited 30.2
19-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:53 AM 42° 34° 33° 70% Unlimited 30.07
1:53 AM 42° 35° 32° 67% Unlimited 30.07
2:53 AM 42° 36° 32° 67% Unlimited 30.08
3:53 AM 41° 35° 31° 67% Unlimited 30.09
4:53 AM 41° 35° 31° 67% Unlimited 30.11
5:53 AM 40° 34° 30° 68% Unlimited 30.13
6:53 AM 39° 32° 30° 70% Unlimited 30.14
7:53 AM 39° 33° 28° 65% Unlimited 30.17
18-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:53 AM 58° 58° 49° 72% Unlimited 29.77
1:53 AM 57° 57° 47° 69% Unlimited 29.77
2:53 AM 55° 55° 43° 64% Unlimited 29.78
3:53 AM 53° 53° 44° 71% Unlimited 29.79
4:53 AM 52° 52° 42° 69% Unlimited 29.81
5:53 AM 50° 47° 41° 71% Unlimited 29.82
6:53 AM 49° 44° 39° 69% Unlimited 29.85
7:53 AM 49° 45° 41° 74% Unlimited 29.86
17-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:03 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 1.8 29.79
12:06 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 2 29.8
12:13 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.79
12:17 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.78
12:37 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.76
12:53 AM 63° 63° 62° 97% 6 29.76
1:53 AM 63° 63° 62° 97% 6 29.75
2:21 AM 63° 63° 63° 100% Unlimited 29.74
16-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:03 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 1.8 29.79
12:06 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 2 29.8
12:13 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.79
12:17 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.78
12:37 AM 64° 64° 63° 94% 4 29.76
12:53 AM 63° 63° 62° 97% 6 29.76
1:53 AM 63° 63° 62° 97% 6 29.75
2:21 AM 63° 63° 63° 100% Unlimited 29.74
15-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
12:53 AM 63° 63° 62° 97% 4 30.11
1:53 AM 61° 61° 61° 100% 4 30.1
2:53 AM 61° 61° 61° 100% 3 30.11
3:53 AM 62° 62° 61° 96% 4 30.11
4:53 AM 62° 62° 61° 96% 4 30.09
5:53 AM 61° 61° 61° 100% 4 30.1
6:53 AM 61° 61° 61° 100% 3 30.11
7:26 AM 61° 61° 61° 100% 2.5 30.12
14-Jan
Time Temp Felt Like Dew Point Humid. Visib. Press.
(F) (m) (in)
1:53 AM 56° 56° 55° 97% 2 30.26
2:03 AM 55° 55° 55° 100% 2 30.26
2:38 AM 57° 57° 55° 94% 1.5 30.25
2:53 AM 56° 56° 56° 100% 0.2 30.24
3:00 AM 55° 55° 55° 100% 0.5 30.24
3:10 AM 57° 57° 55° 94% 0.2 30.24
3:53 AM 57° 57° 57° 100% 0.5 30.23
4:53 AM 56° 56° 56° 100% 0.2 30.22
AnswerAbhi,
For your car, and any car that is fuel injected, you should not need to step on the gas pedal to get it started.
If you have an AutoZone in your area, have them check your battery and alternator. My guess is that your battery is no longer holding a charge. The "cold starts" require almost twice the power than if your engine was warm. From the looks of the temperatures you indicated, there were only a few times when the temperature dropped below freezing (below 32°). Those few starts in the near freezing temperature will really stress your battery. Also, if your battery does not have sufficient charge, it will not be able to turn your starter motor, thus your car will not start. When you get a JUMPSTART, it's most likely the other car's battery was starting your car, and not so much your own battery. After you drove it around for several minutes, your alternator was probably able to supply enough charge so your battery could power the starter. But if the battery is dying (dead), no JUMPSTART will ever completely get your battery going.
Your best first step is to take the battery out of your car. Have a friend drive you over to the AutoZone and ask them to load test the battery for you. They will be able to determine in a few minutes if your battery is holding a charge. If they declare your battery is dead, buy a new one. That will solve your problem. If they say your battery is fine, have them charge it up completely. Then, put the battery back in your car, and drive your car back to the AutoZone. Ask them to test your alternator. They will do this for free as well. If your alternator is going bad, it will not be able to charge your battery, thus the battery will die VERY quickly. If the alternator is fine, have them test the starter.
AutoZone will test all 3 of these things for free. My guess is that your battery is dead. The second most common problem is your alternator is dying. Least likely is that you need a new starter. But one of these 3 items most likely is the culprut. Remember, you should not have to touch the gas pedal at all when you start your car. I live in the Northeast and have been getting -10° F temperatures, and I'm able to start my car with no problem with a good battery.
Good luck!
