The colder it gets the harder it is to start. What's up with that?

Hello everyone, the title pretty much says it all. It'll turn over with no problem when the ambient temp is around 40 and above. This morning it's in the high 20's/low 30's. The starter didn't want to turn over. It took several tries before I got a response. I believe I hear a click just prior to the starter turning over. What would cause the cold weather to effect the starting? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

How old is your battery. Sounds like it is getting ready for a failure.

Bill

 

The battery and alternator was replaced in late September.

 

Hmm, battery and starter replaced in September. No response when temps are 30* and below. Sounds to me like loose connections. Step one, remove positive and negative battery terminals. 2, clean posts and terminals with wire brush. 3, leave them disconnected and go to wires at starter, disconnect and clean them. 4, check that the two bolts holding starter to trans are as the Germans say, Gudentite. 5, reconnect starter wiring and snug it up. 6, reconnect battery terminals and snug them up. This will eliminate loose connection theory. If problem persists, we'll move on to the next step.

 

rjbiii - It is the original starter.
Texoma - I did number 1 & 2 when I replaced the battery. I'll look at the starter connections. (However, if they were loose it seems to me that the problems would manifest itself regardless of temp.)
Thanks guys. I'll report back in a few days. (It's almost dark by the time I get home.)

 

Hot and cold, expansion and contraction. Cold contraction equals loose connections. I thought I read that starter was replaced along with the battery. I guess I misread alternator, easily mixed up.

 

You're right about temp/expansion/contraction...didn't think of that.

 

It is possible, just trying to eliminate the easy stuff first. Since alternator was replaced, I'd double check connections there as well.

 

Well, this morning, it was difficult to crank - the starter finally turned over and when it did it sounded like it didn't disengage. I turned the key to the off position and the engine kept turning. I then turned the key to the start position and it starting running again - returned the key to the off position and it continued to turn over it took several attempts to finally get it to stop completely. That's never happened to me at all in any vehicle I've owned.

 

Sounds like the Bendix is sticking. Either rebuild or replace the starter. Rock Auto carries Denso, or local parts store ought to be sufficient.

 

Thanks - ordered a starter yesterday from Rockauto. Now I need to read several threads on starter replacement.

 

I've spent about 3 hours today trying to get the starter out. Some posts say one thing, others say something else...progress so far...brake lines loose, electrical connections to starter off, oh, the - battery disconnected...having a difficult time removing upper dipstick hose... lower bolt for starter won't budge - sprayed some PB blaster on the bolt (I hope it's the right one...can't really see it with additional lines blocking the view. If I were a contortionist or if my arm had multiple elbow/ball & socket joints this would be a walk in the park.
Think I'll reread some more posts. I can't remember the size of the bolts holding the starter.
On a happier note...only 3 more school days until Christmas vacation.

 

Make up any new cuss words yet?

 

Not yet...I'll continue Thursday - school is out; I'll have daylight to help me. I'm "gearing" up mentally for the task at hand.