cold start issues

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Post Reply
bonnieslp
LE Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:08 am
Year and Trim: 2002 bonneville sle
1988 Monte Carlo SS
Location: Greenup IL
Contact:

cold start issues

Post by bonnieslp »

have had 1 occasion where my car wouldnt start in negative degree weather had the car towed and scanned the computer no codes pressent and when i tried to start after towing it started and ran just fine every since then has happend to wifes co worker twice same year and model any ideas?
User avatar
bill buttermore
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3989
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 12:35 pm
Year and Trim: 98 Caravan is the daily driver 215K
Location: Ames, Iowa

Re: cold start issues

Post by bill buttermore »

When the temperature drops below 0*F, problems that would not matter much in the summer can prevent your engine from starting. For example:

Corroded or loose battery cables or alternator cable
Corroded or loose grounds for ignition, battery, PCM or fuel pump
Weak battery
Weak alternator
Worn starter
Weak ignition coil
Old spark plugs
Failing plug wires
Contaminated fuel (water present)
Leaking fuel injector
Weak fuel pump
Dirty fuel filter
Dirty idle air control (IAC) valve
Sticking throttle plate
Bad intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
Bad engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
High viscosity engine oil
Image



1998 3.8 Dodge Caravan 214K
2000 3.3 Dodge Caravan 175K
1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe 4-dr sedan 25K (needs some work!)
Mark Fahey
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 10:15 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi, 3.4", FWI, Saner HD sway bars,137K
Location: Morris, Illinois

Re: cold start issues

Post by Mark Fahey »

Will it turn over but just not start or is it not turning over or doing so slowly?
Karl
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1675
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:24 am
Year and Trim: 2001 SSEi
Location: The deep south of New Hampshire

Re: cold start issues

Post by Karl »

My car turns over VERY slowly when it's extremely cold out and battery is only a year old.
Formerly 95seand78z28
Image
2001 SSEi (L67Heaven) - Swooped, Pullied, Cleared, and Tinted -GONE!
2014 GMC Sierra SLT.
bonnieslp
LE Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:08 am
Year and Trim: 2002 bonneville sle
1988 Monte Carlo SS
Location: Greenup IL
Contact:

Re: cold start issues

Post by bonnieslp »

the car turns over great just no start issues checked the throttle plate,iac,fuel pressure,ect,and just about every thing else all was good probably just bad fuel
User avatar
bill buttermore
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 3989
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 12:35 pm
Year and Trim: 98 Caravan is the daily driver 215K
Location: Ames, Iowa

Re: cold start issues

Post by bill buttermore »

If you suspect water in the fuel, add a couple of bottles of Heet to the gas tank.
Image



1998 3.8 Dodge Caravan 214K
2000 3.3 Dodge Caravan 175K
1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe 4-dr sedan 25K (needs some work!)
Post Reply