Need Help: Wont Start When Cold
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: San Antonio Texas
Need Help: Wont Start When Cold
Need advice, my C5 A4 won't start when it is cold outside, but as the day worms up it starts without an issue. I thought it was the Battery, but when I had the system checked the OPTIMA Red put out 1000 Cold Cranking Amps and the Starter and alternator also checked out good. I am totally lost! Don't know what else it could be.
I called a friend of mine on the east coast who has his own garage and he is not sure either as the starters normally fail in heat and not in cold. Batteries fail in the cold, but with the type of cranking power it is pushing it is not the battery.
Thanks,
Roger
I called a friend of mine on the east coast who has his own garage and he is not sure either as the starters normally fail in heat and not in cold. Batteries fail in the cold, but with the type of cranking power it is pushing it is not the battery.
Thanks,
Roger
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,242
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From: Dyer, IN
Need advice, my C5 A4 won't start when it is cold outside, but as the day worms up it starts without an issue. I thought it was the Battery, but when I had the system checked the OPTIMA Red put out 1000 Cold Cranking Amps and the Starter and alternator also checked out good. I am totally lost! Don't know what else it could be.
I called a friend of mine on the east coast who has his own garage and he is not sure either as the starters normally fail in heat and not in cold. Batteries fail in the cold, but with the type of cranking power it is pushing it is not the battery.
Thanks,
Roger
I called a friend of mine on the east coast who has his own garage and he is not sure either as the starters normally fail in heat and not in cold. Batteries fail in the cold, but with the type of cranking power it is pushing it is not the battery.
Thanks,
Roger
Troubleshoot in the no start condition, should be easy to track down.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: San Antonio Texas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,242
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From: Dyer, IN
First, pull your codes:
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php
Below is a good site for troubeshooting....gives you an idea where the components are:
http://www.c5help.com/c5_no_start.htm
....and the schematic you'll need.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, my first thoughts too...did it turn over or not? If not, you might want to check the connections at the solenoid. Do you hear a loud click from the starter? If not turning over, is the security light in the IP Cluster flashing? Have you pulled your codes yet?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 90
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From: San Antonio Texas
Still not starting when it is Cold Outside
It cranks, but does not turn over. The battery is strong and I hear the starter trying to turn it over but the car does not start. It is almost as it doesn't get gas or spark... From my understanding to start the car you have to have a spark... Not sure if I am getting the spark but I can't tell what is causing it not to start. When the temperture outside is warm the car cranks immediately. I have never heard of this problem before!
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 90
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From: San Antonio Texas
No codes. Where do I find the solenoid connections? What wire do I need follow to check it. I checked all the connections on the starter and they are all tight and connected correctly.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,242
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From: Dyer, IN
....more confusion 
"cranks" and "turn over" mean the same thing.
Cranks or turns over means the starter is working, and the engine is rotating.
So, does the engine crank, but does not start(run)........or ......does the engine not crank?
"cranks" and "turn over" mean the same thing. Cranks or turns over means the starter is working, and the engine is rotating.
So, does the engine crank, but does not start(run)........or ......does the engine not crank?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Lucky, I'm thinking he doesn't have any fuel. Probably needs to see if there's any pressure at the rail and if not, find the pump relay and jumper it to see if it runs. Thoughts?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
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I have exactly the same problem with my 98 a4 since a week or so:S some Corvette specialist here in the Netherlands said 90% sure it's a temperature sensor located near the waterpump that makes the engine think it's warm and gives too much fuel or something
