Starting problem in cold
Discussion
I have an odd starting problem on my little Fiat Punto.
Basically if the car is on a slope (nose up or down) and sat there for more than about 6 hours in the cold, then it has trouble starting. It'll act as if the battery is low/flat initially, but then it'll start anyway (though the clock etc resets itself, so it's obviously drawing all power from the battery it can). I am starting it with everything switched off and the clutch in to reduce load as much as I can. However, this problem doesn't seem to manifest itself on the flat.
I'm not in the position to take it to a garage for a few days at least so I'm having to just go about with a jump starter and in case that doesn't work, my AA card, close to hand.
However, although it initially buzzes and refuses to turn over (and the dashboard lights go out), it'll then start fine if I give it another couple of goes. No jump actually starting needed so far, which leads me to suspect that it's not (just) the battery at fault here. The buzzing noise is also odd. Could the starter motor be sticking? And, if so are there any tricks to keep it warm or free it up somehow?
Basically if the car is on a slope (nose up or down) and sat there for more than about 6 hours in the cold, then it has trouble starting. It'll act as if the battery is low/flat initially, but then it'll start anyway (though the clock etc resets itself, so it's obviously drawing all power from the battery it can). I am starting it with everything switched off and the clutch in to reduce load as much as I can. However, this problem doesn't seem to manifest itself on the flat.
I'm not in the position to take it to a garage for a few days at least so I'm having to just go about with a jump starter and in case that doesn't work, my AA card, close to hand.
However, although it initially buzzes and refuses to turn over (and the dashboard lights go out), it'll then start fine if I give it another couple of goes. No jump actually starting needed so far, which leads me to suspect that it's not (just) the battery at fault here. The buzzing noise is also odd. Could the starter motor be sticking? And, if so are there any tricks to keep it warm or free it up somehow?
Edited by oldbanger on Monday 6th December 21:50
How old is the battery and what's the level of the distilled water like in it ?
If the plates aren't fully covered, you may get low voltage and this could be worse on a slope.
ETA - the buzzing sounds like a faulty solenoid on the starter.
If the plates aren't fully covered, you may get low voltage and this could be worse on a slope.
ETA - the buzzing sounds like a faulty solenoid on the starter.
Edited by marshalla on Monday 6th December 21:58
marshalla said:
How old is the battery and what's the level of the distilled water like in it ?
If the plates aren't fully covered, you may get low voltage and this could be worse on a slope.
It may be the original battery. It's definitely at least 2 years old, but possibly up to 6. I looked like a sealed unit last time I checked but I'll have another look in daylight. It's been that long since I had a car where you needed to top up the battery that I hadn't thought to pay close attention to that. If the plates aren't fully covered, you may get low voltage and this could be worse on a slope.
Arse.. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
Unfortunately it's dead as a dodo this morning and the jump starter doesn't have enought juice to get it going.
The neighbour has a jump lead, but his battery is flat too.
And the AA have told me that there's a 24 hour wait for anyone breaking down in a residential location.
So, I've book the day off work, provisionally, and am recharching the jump starter in the hope that I can try again a bit later.
Unfortunately it's dead as a dodo this morning and the jump starter doesn't have enought juice to get it going.
The neighbour has a jump lead, but his battery is flat too.
And the AA have told me that there's a 24 hour wait for anyone breaking down in a residential location.
So, I've book the day off work, provisionally, and am recharching the jump starter in the hope that I can try again a bit later.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff