Winter Starting Issues

[zppeacock]

Got a few problems when I let my 1990 Camry Wagon sit outside over night. During the Summer it has been starting just fine. But now with the winter weather its not.

Problem 1: This morning I got in it, and Turned the Key I got nothing, So I kept on trying and after about 7 times turning it back and forth I got it to crank and it fired right up.

Problem 2: It will fire right up in the morning on the first crank of the starter. But it will miss badley for about 30 seconds and then clear up and run fine.

Anyone have a clue why its doing these things? It only happens when it gets really cold at night and only on the first start in the morning. I can go to work and leave it sit for 8 hours and it will start fine.

[toyomoho]

You turn the key and nothing happens, the engine does not crank.

If so check the battery cables for corrosion or damage.

[zppeacock]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

You turn the key and nothing happens, the engine does not crank.

If so check the battery cables for corrosion or damage.

It clicks, doesnt crank. I cycled the key on and off about 7 times and then it cranked.

Battery passed the Midtronics test and a vat40. Cables and terminals are clean and perfect.

[fredk]

starter time

[zppeacock]

Originally Posted by fredk

starter time

Really? It only does it when I get below 32F.

[zppeacock]

I put it in the garage tonight, we'll see what happens in the morning.

[Mike Gerber]

"It clicks, doesnt crank"

1. If you are hearing 1 click you most likely have the common worn starter solenoid contacts problem. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures. If you are hearing multiple rapid clicks, you have a weak battery problem (bad battery, bad alternator or loose alternator belt), or corroded connections either at the battery posts/terminals or at the starter itself.

2. For the second problem, check the cold start time switch. It's the one under the brown connector on the water port, on the driver's side of the engine. You will need a digital volt/ohmeter and the specs from any manual to do this.

Mike

[zppeacock]

It started this morning in the warmth of the garage just fine, none of those problems happened.


Why would the starter only do it when it gets below 20f out?

[Mike Gerber]

When the no crank problem occurs, are you hearing 1 loud click or multiple rapid clicks?

Mike

[disregard]

im thinking the starter uses more energy when really cold.
if the contacts of the starter is dirty or corroded it wont get all the energy it needs to start in REALLY
COLD weather. But when its warmer out it takes less energy to start because the parts move easier.

Just my 2 cents

[JMSports]

Your really asking why the starter doesnt work as well in the cold? Are you serious?

Its a bit common sense, when things are cold, they tend to resist motion, because as you know heat and energy go hand in hand. Lack of heat, lack of motion, more energy required by the battery to start the car.

I would get the battery checked for voltage, and make sure all the cells are full, and check the starter.

[zppeacock]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

When the no crank problem occurs, are you hearing 1 loud click or multiple rapid clicks?

Mike

1 single click.

Ive been parking it in the garage the last few days because theres room but it wont be in there to much longer.

The battery has passed every test Ive thrown at it. Vat40 Vat45 Midtronics...

[PaulyJay]

this seems to be a common problem in Tasmania Australia where i live. not for me, but a few of my mates have an issue. a new starter motor fixed it in one case. a more extreme case i know of a while ago was a result of a leak somewhere causing ice to seize the moving parts. this was a while ago though, and i don't really understand it.

[white90dx]

Put in the starter relay that Doctor J suggests in one of the stickies here on the forum. It is a weak starter solenoid. With the colder weather, the battery loosesa a bit of output and causes the problem.

You can also try turning off all accessories while cranking (no interior fan, lights, no foot on brakes, etc.). If that helps, then add the extra relay and it should fix the problem.

-Charlie

[Mike Gerber]

"1 single click."

From my previous post:

"1. If you are hearing 1 click you most likely have the common worn starter solenoid contacts problem. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures."

Mike