View Full Version : hard to start


TOAST3R
12-16-2004, 03:53 AM
Has anyone else had a problem starting theirs? it seems to take longer to start than any of my other cars ive had. its winter here but i keep it in a garage and it hasnt been cold yet really either.

just feels like it takes quite a while to start. in my other car a metro i turn the key and right away its starts

UnFocused
12-16-2004, 05:01 PM
Have you changed gas companies latley? I would stick to Chevron w/ technon- never have had a problem...

ltj42884
12-16-2004, 05:10 PM
mine seems to take a little long to start...not a rediculous amount of time or anything...just seems to take a few seconds...maybe cause its really gettin cold now

superjeer
12-16-2004, 05:16 PM
I've had cars that just don't like cold (my contour). My xB takes an extra crank or two to fire when cold, it seems. Not like cranking forever though.

Joehnn
12-16-2004, 05:23 PM
I've had cars that just don't like cold (my contour). My xB takes an extra crank or two to fire when cold, it seems. Not like cranking forever though.

Same for me. Do you think a little bigger battery would help? It did on
my last car.

TOAST3R
12-16-2004, 06:44 PM
Have you changed gas companies latley? I would stick to Chevron w/ technon- never have had a problem...

i normly use mobil. we dont have chevron around here. its either rmobil, kwik trip or clark

superjeer
12-16-2004, 06:50 PM
I've had cars that just don't like cold (my contour). My xB takes an extra crank or two to fire when cold, it seems. Not like cranking forever though.

Same for me. Do you think a little bigger battery would help? It did on
my last car.

That could be.. low CCA could make it turn just slow enough to make a diff, I suppose.

hotbox05
12-16-2004, 07:01 PM
hmmm i dont have any prob but then again im in ca so the coldest it gets is like 30 . mine almost always starts on the first or second crank

Joehnn
12-16-2004, 07:18 PM
I've had cars that just don't like cold (my contour). My xB takes an extra crank or two to fire when cold, it seems. Not like cranking forever though.

Same for me. Do you think a little bigger battery would help? It did on
my last car.

That could be.. low CCA could make it turn just slow enough to make a diff, I suppose.

Yeah, mine cranks slower on cold (20 or below) mornings. I'm sure I'll be OK for a couple of years, then I may buy a more powerful battery. Crank er up baby! 8)

Buebie
12-20-2004, 03:25 AM
Hey man.

Well, the high here today was 4 degrees. I have noticed a real problem starting my car. I drive it everyday, and have it parked overnight for less then 12 hours. When I go to start it in the morning it takes about 6 seconds of "rur rur rur rur" Then finally, but slowly turns over with a not-so sure of itself turnover. I find this disturbing, mainly because I know its going to be a hell of allot colder. What am I going to do when its -30 degrees?

This is really the crapiest winter car I've owned, I've never seen this before. Plus this so far has been the mildest winter in history...its snowed once lol.

jmack
12-20-2004, 03:33 AM
My TC has been taking a bit longer than what seems normal to crank over also. Always starts, but I will bet that I'm going to have problems when it gets real cold.

jct
12-20-2004, 03:51 AM
Have you changed gas companies latley? I would stick to Chevron w/ technon- never have had a problem...

could be changing over to the winter blend of gas

scion_tC
12-20-2004, 03:57 AM
I know the tC is equipped with an engine immobolizer, could that be the reason why it takes a few seconds to start, I own a tC and find that it takes a second or two, to fire up.

TOAST3R
12-20-2004, 04:03 AM
I know the tC is equipped with an engine immobolizer, could that be the reason why it takes a few seconds to start, I own a tC and find that it takes a second or two, to fire up.

i dont believe that would make a difference, i think an engine immobilizer would stop the starter from even attempting to run. i could be tottally wrong too, but thats how i think it would work

dgHotLava
12-20-2004, 04:16 AM
to be an effective engine immobilizer it should interupt the ignition or fuel systems....

if it just did the starter , you could pop the clutch on a stick and still drive away....(provided you got passed the steering lock)

oil is thicker and clearances get tighter in cold weather, thats why it seems to take longer... the systems just work a little harder...and winter is when most cars will develop problems...

boilerman
12-20-2004, 11:59 AM
Larger battery has made a difference for me in the past. A larger positive cable from the battery to the starter might help. Manufacturers will scrimp where possible.

superjeer
12-20-2004, 07:03 PM
after the 0 degree morning this morning I'm conviced that you'd be ok with a bigger, meaner battery.

mfbenson
12-21-2004, 02:09 AM
The original tank of gas was tough to start the car with and I only got 20.0 mpg with it too. I'm only on the second tank of gas but it seems to start more easily now. I think maybe this car is particularly sensitive to the quality of gas in it.

superjeer
12-21-2004, 03:21 AM
^^^ With a high compression ratio I would think so too.