|
|
|
Problems Starting in Cold Weather
|
|
|
| |
|
|
staner
Anonymous Poster
Dec 10, 2008, 12:05 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1877 views)
|
|
Problems Starting in Cold Weather
|
Sign In
|
|
Toyota Celica 1991
Living in Ontario, Canada.
Have had it for 5 months.
3 days ago I went to start it and for half a second there was power to the radio / fan and then it died. Dead to the world. The engine wasn't turning over, power locks didnt work.
I left it alone for approximately two minutes where I threw a mini fit and made sure everything was in the off position. I then tried to start it again, sure enough it turned over like normal. The clock had reset but the radio stations didnt.
It works for the next 2 days no problem. Today I go to start it and the same thing happens, half a second of power and then its dead. I let it rest 2 minuntes, nothing. 20 minutes, still nothing.
Simple dead battery issue? is there anything else that it might be?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 10, 2008, 12:09 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1867 views)
|
|
Re: Problems Starting in Cold Weather
|
Sign In
|
|
More likely battery cable connections - both ends need be known good. One quick disconnect from the load of the starter can disconnect 100% like you noticed for a second and comeback working later. Clean them all up and grease the connections so they last without doing this all the time,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Staner
Anonymous Poster
Dec 10, 2008, 1:01 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1861 views)
|
|
Re: Problems Starting in Cold Weather
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks for the advice. I cleaned it with baking soda/water, as per the first link on google and then scrubbed the cable connection with a nylon brush. It didn't look very dirty or corroded but it works now so im happy.
I didn't have any grease, what kind of grease should I use? the one that looks like a caulking gun cartridge?
Thanks again Tom for your help.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 10, 2008, 4:14 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1854 views)
|
|
Battery Cable Grease/Protection
|
Sign In
|
|
Ok: Any grease would be better than none IMO but if you want get some specifically made to spray on battery cables or I like silicone/dielectic grease as they last longer. Litterally Vasoline is ok.
Note: Batteries contain acid right at those connections and cause issues from that. The connections can look good and be tight and still not make a good connection - go figure but it's true.
Several vehicles put a few connections on the solonoid of starter motors (piggy back types) and they are placed such that road water can speed up problems there. Any of those should be on a periodic re-spray routine BEFORE they go bad.
What folks need to understand is the power that's needed for a starter motor counts on the quality of the cables and connections (battery itself too of course) and about everything else in the car would be happy with the jumping connection of a paper clip but NOT a starter.
Good luck with the fix,
T
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start
Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail
