Funny - cold start

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

6,037

35

129

Olathe KS

Jan 7, 2010

#1

• Jan 7, 2010

• #1

The weather here in Kansas has been bitterly cold and snowy. We finally got a sunny day with mostly clear roads a few days ago. I decided to drive the msutang that morning. I turned the key and the engine cranked very very slowly: RRRrrrr..... RRrrr..... Rrrr and the engine fired. The funny part was, that with each turn of the crank, I could see the dash lights go dim, as the starter sucked the battery dry. Well, I guess it is time for a new battery before I get stuck somewhere.

 

mustanggt04fast

Member

Mar 6, 2009

105

0

16

Jan 7, 2010

#2

• Jan 7, 2010

• #2

you may have a bad alternator as well ive done that a few times thinking it was the battery and then a week later it does the same thing doesnt hurt having the alternator checked

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

Jan 7, 2010

#3

• Jan 7, 2010

• #3

Could also be a corroded cable or just loose/dirty terminal connections.

 

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

6,037

35

129

Olathe KS

Jan 7, 2010

#4

• Jan 7, 2010

• #4

I've had the car for a bit more than 5 years and never changed the battery, plus the temps were around 0F then and it cranks normally when the weather is above freezing. Go figure.

 

patman0911

Founding Member

Jun 5, 2002

2,287

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46

Tuscaloosa, AL

Jan 7, 2010

#5

• Jan 7, 2010

• #5

5 years old? Your battery is probably near the end. Extreme cold is good at finishing off a marginal battery.

 

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

6,037

35

129

Olathe KS

Jan 7, 2010

#6

• Jan 7, 2010

• #6

Actually, I have no idea about it's age, but it is at LEAST 5 years old.

 

92armyGT

New Member

Dec 22, 2009

24

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0

Oregon

Jan 8, 2010

#7

• Jan 8, 2010

• #7

I am in AK right now, it is -5 outside. The cold kills batterys fast. If you have an old battery that has been sitting, the cold sucks the Cranking amps out fast. They need to be maintained by starting up one a week, or a trickle charger. Here, if you don't have a battery warmer or start your car every few hours, you are done, your car is not going to start and you will be stuck. I know it normaly doen't get that cold in Kansas, but because you don't run it in the winter, I would buy a trickle charger also, so you can keep a good battery maintained.

 

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

6,037

35

129

Olathe KS

Jan 10, 2010

#8

• Jan 10, 2010

• #8

I had the battery tested and it was marginal. Not completely bad, but obviously going out.
The old battery was from 04. Anyway, installed the new battery and cleaned the terminals and it starts VERY aggressivly now.

 

I

Icemanstang

New Member

Dec 28, 2009

149

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0

Potstown,Pennsylvania

Jan 10, 2010

#9

• Jan 10, 2010

• #9

bhuff30 said:

I had the battery tested and it was marginal. Not completely bad, but obviously going out.
The old battery was from 04. Anyway, installed the new battery and cleaned the terminals and it starts VERY aggressivly now.

Click to expand...

Definitley trade in your old battery and get a new one because
it could die on you completely and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.I change my battery regularly every three years no matter what!

 

patman0911

Founding Member

Jun 5, 2002

2,287

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46

Tuscaloosa, AL

Jan 10, 2010

#10

• Jan 10, 2010

• #10

Mine only last about 3 years because of the heat down here. Luckily, my last one was under waranty - woo hoo!

 

stangGT97

New Member

Dec 22, 2004

1,299

1

0

Boston area, MA

Jan 11, 2010

#11

• Jan 11, 2010

• #11

I have an optima red top with 800+ CCA or something crazy like that! I have my stang in storage right now, with the battery disconnected. After a month of being exposed to sub-freezing temperatures and not being started, I hooked up the battery and the car started right up. Now I am glad I got rid of the cheapo Wal-Mart battery that came with the car!!