Help me diagnose my problem from a cold start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Help me diagnose my problem from a cold start
greetings,
On cold starts my engine start is a bit awkward.If I leave the car alone for maybe 2 or 3 hours after a drive and start it back up again, it sounds like the day it came off of the showroom floor.On the other hand on cold starts up such as in the morning or if I have let he car sit for 6 hours or so after a drive,it sounds like like something is wrong.It sounds a little like he starting is cranking the engine slower and some days it goes so slowly that as I turn the key it sounds like the engine won't turn.I have yet to have a time where the engine hasn't started.
At first,I thought it was defective battery because the vehicle has a brand new battery.I thought this because on my previous truck,this same exact problem was there until I changed the battery.Once I changed the battery everything was fine.Anyways,I had the battery checked out at autozone and it was perfectly fine.
Does anyone know what the problem could be?I am sorry if my explanation is a bit vague for my problem.If you need a bit more in depth explanation don't hesitate to ask.
On cold starts my engine start is a bit awkward.If I leave the car alone for maybe 2 or 3 hours after a drive and start it back up again, it sounds like the day it came off of the showroom floor.On the other hand on cold starts up such as in the morning or if I have let he car sit for 6 hours or so after a drive,it sounds like like something is wrong.It sounds a little like he starting is cranking the engine slower and some days it goes so slowly that as I turn the key it sounds like the engine won't turn.I have yet to have a time where the engine hasn't started.
At first,I thought it was defective battery because the vehicle has a brand new battery.I thought this because on my previous truck,this same exact problem was there until I changed the battery.Once I changed the battery everything was fine.Anyways,I had the battery checked out at autozone and it was perfectly fine.
Does anyone know what the problem could be?I am sorry if my explanation is a bit vague for my problem.If you need a bit more in depth explanation don't hesitate to ask.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
Start by checking for fault codes:
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/2004_DTC_Codes.html
This may have the answer, or maybe not.
Next, check the connections at the starter motor. We've seen
a few people with loose connections that were causing the problem
you're seeing. It takes a lot more amps to start a cold engine than
a warm engine.
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/2004_DTC_Codes.html
This may have the answer, or maybe not.
Next, check the connections at the starter motor. We've seen
a few people with loose connections that were causing the problem
you're seeing. It takes a lot more amps to start a cold engine than
a warm engine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Start by checking for fault codes:
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/2004_DTC_Codes.html
This may have the answer, or maybe not.
Next, check the connections at the starter motor. We've seen
a few people with loose connections that were causing the problem
you're seeing. It takes a lot more amps to start a cold engine than
a warm engine.
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/2004_DTC_Codes.html
This may have the answer, or maybe not.
Next, check the connections at the starter motor. We've seen
a few people with loose connections that were causing the problem
you're seeing. It takes a lot more amps to start a cold engine than
a warm engine.
Here is an explanation of my problem in further context
Legend:
-dun=starter noise when you turn the key normally
-dun=starter noise when you turn the key but a bit quieter
-Boom=represent when the engine actually starts and is running.
I am going to have "."s (periods) represent intervals of time in between the "dun"s.
Cold start:dun.....dun....dun...dun.....dun....boom
start when the engine has only been off a few hours(a.k.a new off of the showroom floor):dun.dun.dun.dun.dun.boom
Last edited by uracowman; Sep 19, 2007 at 06:40 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Roswell GA
I would check the voltage at the battery terminals and then also test it at the starter. Test directly with a multimeter. You want to make sure the drop is not dramatic between the two. You should also make sure there is no corrosion at either end.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I had autozone check the battery about a month ago and all was fine.Also the battery is brand new, not even 6 months old.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
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Try hooking your battery up to a charger for a few hours prior to one of these times where you know it will probably start slow. If it starts fast, I'd say you have a weak battery.
It's also possible you have a bad starter. I had a very similar problem once where it sounded almost like the battery was dead. I replaced the battery and alternator only to find out the starter was putting a huge load on the system. It would chug at cold start almost like the battery was dead.
Still though, I would first try charging your battery real good prior to starting it. See if that gives a different result and go from there.
It's also possible you have a bad starter. I had a very similar problem once where it sounded almost like the battery was dead. I replaced the battery and alternator only to find out the starter was putting a huge load on the system. It would chug at cold start almost like the battery was dead.
Still though, I would first try charging your battery real good prior to starting it. See if that gives a different result and go from there.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
to it, since it sounds like you're not having any problems with the
starter engaging. Since you've had the battery out for testing
recently, then we can rule out corrosion at the battery terminal
or a loose connection.
That leaves us with the connections to the starter, and the
starter itself. Have you checked the stater connections?
