I live in a city that has really cold winters and my year old car hadn't been plugged-in last night. Now it isn't starting even after I plugged it in for an hour. I checked my extension cord and power source - they are working. Even though the car doesn't start, the lights, radio, etc. do work...What could be wrong with my car? How can I get it to start? Please help!!!
2007-01-09 10:16:21 · 5 answers · asked by adangerousidea 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When I turn the key you can hear the engine trying to start, but doesn't quite turn over...it just chugs...
2007-01-09 10:44:00 · update #1
Just to change my answer, it totally sounds like it is the battery, you will need to get that boosted. When it is cold and the car is not plugged in it drains the battery, that is the normal problem with cars in the cold. If it is the battery needing a jump, then get that done and drive the car for 30 minutes to 45 minutes so that the alternator will recharge the battery. Also, take the car back in (it still should be under warranty) and get them to check the battery levels and also the block heater to ensure that they are both working properly. You car being 1 year old should be covered under some sort of roadside assistance package, give them a call and let them deal with it. Once the battery is drained, plugging in the block heater will do nothing, just FYI. The lights and radio can still work on a drained battery as they do not take that much juice.
And just for the information of those people who live in warm climates and do not understand why she is plugging the car in, the cars in colder climates have block heaters. The heater warms up the engine compartment, including the battery, in order to ensure easier starts. They are especially necessary for diesel vehicles since they compress the fuel and not ignite. However, with the block heater it reduces the wear and tear and allows for easier starts in the winter cold.
2007-01-09 10:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does it turn over when you hit the starting switch? If not, your battery could be weak (even though the lights are working). You may have a bad connection at the posts of the battery. If the car does turn over when you hit the starter, you may have a problem with the fuel system. Also, if your battery is a little weak, you may not be getting a strong spark. If the car is not turning over, replace the battery or charge it up - you can buy a charger that has a starting boost built in (that works well for me). If the car is turning over, check for any icing of the fuel system, insufficient spark, etc.. Good luck.
2007-01-09 10:27:54 · answer #2 · answered by Doug R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's probably too cold still. If the oil has thickened, it'll be more difficult to start, and hopefully you didn't have your coolant freeze in the block. There are expansion plugs, but if there's ice inside your engine, that's a bad thing.
Try getting a boost for the battery like from one of those plug-in battery chargers, to get more power to turn the starter, and do whatever the locals do to warm their engines. I'm not sure if an electric blanket would be a good idea or not.
It never gets that cold here...
2007-01-09 10:57:09 · answer #3 · answered by SoCalSkierGuy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can get by with a "marginal battery in warm weather,not in super cold& if alt is weak and doesn't charge properly A weak batt. will freeze.A 5 dollar batt hydrometer will give a good check,providing you batt. has caps,One caution if you do a boost to start car connect pos.first ( neg.,at car away from batt.)
2007-01-09 14:33:31 · answer #4 · answered by section hand 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What are you plugging in?? do you know??
2007-01-09 10:26:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋