My car isn’t starting, it’s really cold out. I was wondering how can I start it with this cold weather
My car didn't start this morning, it's really cold out and I was wondering how can I start my car when it's this cold out. I had to jump start my car the night before it started than, but I realized it's the cold weather that is making my car not start
My car has a manual transmission.
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Given the description of not being able to start your vehicle, when it is cold and jump starting the vehicle without any problem. This leads me to believe the battery does not have enough cold cranking amp capacity. The engine needs to turn over fast enough to start. This may be nothing more than a weak battery. I recommend having this confirmed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Your car may not start in cold weather because of problems in a number of areas. battery: cold temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge. alternator: alternator belts can become cracked in cold temperatures, making it more difficult to power your battery.
Most attention is given to the batteries and you tend to forget other parts of the system that can also be affected by the freezing temperature. The cold weather can cause serious trouble to the starter and alternator of your vehicle as well.
The cold starting issue could possibly be caused by a failing fuel pump or even a temperature sensor. Heat increases resistance in electrical circuits, and it is possible that once the fuel pump has been running for a while, high resistance causes it to slow or stop.
Cover your car overnight: Vehicle covers may be also able to help you lock in some of the heat and protect your vehicle from ice. Minimize battery usage: Make sure to turn off your car lights when not in use and unplug any chargers to minimize your battery depletion.
Start the engine and, using the procedure described in section 20, listen to the cold start injector (located on the air intake chamber). You should hear a clicking noise, meaning the injector is functioning. If a clicking sound is heard, let the engine reach operating temperature and repeat the check.
Symptoms of a faulty cold start valve:
Engine stalling – After your engine starts, you may experience stalling while you drive. This will either occur at higher RPMs or when you take your foot off the pedal. Rough idle – Your engine may produce loud noises or even vibrations when you are idling.
In fact, when the temperature is below 32 degrees, car batteries lose 35% of their strength, and at zero degrees they lose 60%. If you`re not prepared, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery and an expensive tow in your future.
Check the battery if there is a slow crank and a clicking sound, and the car engine won`t start. However, if the check engine light illuminates, the issue could be the engine or fuel pump. If your vehicle doesn`t start, call AAA, roadside service, or another towing company to take your car to get it repaired.
Fuel Pressure & Fuel Pump
When the fuel pump starts to go bad, that pressure will start to go away when the engine isn`t running. This is one of the most common reasons that your car won`t start after it`s sat for many hours.
Why won`t my car start but the battery is good? If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
Does Cold Weather Permanently Damage Batteries? If your phone has shut down due to cold weather, the impact on your battery is only temporary. Permanent damage can occur, however, if you attempt to charge your phone at freezing temperatures.
“A fully discharged battery can freeze at or around 32 degrees.” If a car battery is discharged because of damage to cells, poor connections or a charging system that isn`t doing its job, the battery could start freezing at the same temperature as water: 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Battery knowledge. Back to overview. A cold start in an internal engine refers to the start of operation without the cooling water and/or oil having been preheated beforehand and without pressure having been built up in the lubricating oil circuit beforehand or without sufficient oil reserves in the bearing points.
The sensor will not cause a no start. It could cause a hard start and a rich or lean condition only.
The cold-start solenoid is the rear most solenoid on the fuel injection pump, closest to the starter motor, and is powered directly off of the starter solenoid. It is only activated when the key is in the “start” position and the starter motor is engaged.
The O2 sensor will not cause the no start. The no start can be caused by the fuel pump or the ignition system. You should check the engine for spark and fuel pressure, when it is not turning on to help narrow the problem down. The ignition system may be the coil, module, or pick up in the distributor.
These are the exhaust gas oxygen (O2 sensors) and knock sensors. The wideband exhaust gas oxygen sensor(s) tell the ECU the actual running air-fuel ratio of the engine.
Battery Current Sensor Problems
Dirt and Debris: Dirt, debris, or corrosion on car batteries can penetrate into the sensor causing malfunctioning. This failure can lead to a number of electrical problems including no-start.
Car Will Not Start: Over time, as the camshaft position sensor fails, the signal it sends to the engine control module weakens. When the engine no longer receives the signal, you will not be able to start your car.
“Because a warm battery will start the car much better than a cold battery,” he said. “All you`re trying to do is retain the heat in the battery that you`ve generated by letting the engine run.” If a vehicle won`t turnover in the morning, another idea starts in the kitchen.
“Electrical devices or lights left running, a defective charging system or alternator, and extreme weather are some common reasons but maybe it`s just time to get a new battery.”
Your battery is dead
Below freezing temperatures can cause a chemical reaction in your vehicle`s battery which will lead to produce less electrical current. Cold batteries simply don`t produce the same amount of power as warm batteries, and this is one of the most common reasons why your car won`t start.
This is what is known as a cold start, it means that the engine isn`t yet at its optimum temperature and therefore is “cold.” While some may worry that something is wrong, a cold start is completely normal and is part of getting your car`s engine up to temperature.
Dead Battery. This is probably the most common reason why a car that worked the day before would suddenly not start the next morning. Usually, a dead battery happens because the headlights or the dome light didn`t get turned off and drained the battery completely.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car isn’t starting, it’s really cold out. I was wondering how can I start it with this cold weather
ANSWER : Hi there. Given the description of not being able to start your vehicle, when it is cold and jump starting the vehicle without any problem. This leads me to believe the battery does not have enough cold cranking amp capacity. The engine needs to turn over fast enough to start. This may be nothing more than a weak battery. I recommend having this confirmed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
I have a cold weather auto start feature in my auto start remote.
ANSWER : Hi there. The cold weather timer is a great feature to have, but you can adjust the time for the auto start to stay on for. I recommend setting the timer for 20 minutes to allow the engine to warm up. The hardest thing to do on an engine is start it up and shut it off before it warms up. This will gel up the engine oil and causing the engine to fail due to lack of engine oil. If you need further assistance with your auto start system, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Map sensor car won’t start up good ?
ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.
At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.
car hesitates when trying to start the car ,but when started then i shut car off and start again it will start right up
ANSWER : Hi there:
Sometimes when you have problems starting an engine initially it is caused by a restriction in fuel flow; caused either by clogged fuel injectors or the throttle body that needs to be cleaned. Once the fuel starts to flow and engine warms up, it’s much easier to start. However, it could also be an air filter, EGR valve or other components that causes this issue as well, which is why it’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of this issue.
Running really rough, not starting usually. Battery light came on. Car overheated. Headlights turn off when I put the high beams on.
ANSWER : Hi there. With the information given, it sounds like you accidentally put 3 bottles of Gas Heet (water / antifreeze remover) into the gas tank. There is to be only 1 bottle of Gas Heet to a full fuel tank of fuel. The Gas Heet is heavier than fuel so it will mix with the water and go to the bottom of the fuel tank and block the fuel from entering the engine. When Gas Heet is in the fuel system, as the engine is started, the additives, methanol, water, and gasoline are consumed and burned. All of these combined will make the engine run very hot and unstable. Too much Gas Heet will make the engine run hotter than normal conditions and cause the engine to overheat. I suggest flushing out the fuel system and fuel tank. If you need further assistance with your engine overheating after putting in Gas Heet, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Charging warning light comes on when i turn the key and try to start the car and the car want start but when someone tried to give
ANSWER : Hi there:
If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.
My car stutter starts, but only after driving it for a few minutes.
ANSWER : Hey there. This may also be caused by what is called the fuel pressure regulator. This is a unit that helps to maintain the fuel pressure at the proper level. When this is not working properly, the fuel pump may be pumping properly, but the fuel may not arrive at the fuel injectors at the proper psi. When this happens, this can cause a lean fuel condition which may cause the car to hesitate, misfire, or stall. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the hard start problem and confirm which repairs are needed.
