94 2.2 Won't Start in cold weather

[johnhart]

I've had my 94 Cav since 93 and it's been the best car I've ever owned. Starting about 3 years ago, when the weather gets cold, the starter will not engage intermittantly. Sometimes it will work fine but when it fails to engage, I have to try 10 to 15 times of repeated start attempts before it'll start. This doesn't appear to be a battery problem as I can drive for an hour, turn it off and then immediately try to start it again and I'll just get the whine of the starter. Never happens in the summer. Any help is appreciated

[RABarrett]

This sounds like a defective drive. If the starter is energizing, the solenoid is operating, making the problem likely a drive or solenoid's not completely pushing the gear into the flywheel. Ray

[wapenn]

I would second that it's a starter problem... I have a '90 and starters haven't been it's strongest feature... After having two replacements fail (one after 13 months) I put in a NAPA Gold (free replacement) and it's been great ever since. Only a few bucks more and if it goes I get a free one. I'm starting to become a believer in NAPA premium parts.

(I have no affiliation with NAPA... I'm just sick of having to replace the same parts because they are junk.)

[johnhart]

Thanks guys. I did see the logic in your responses and bought a starter and installed it. Today, the temperature was in the lower 20's and snowing and it started better than I can remember in recent years. Very refreshing. This car is so reliable that I have nothing bad to say about it. In fact, with this starter replacement, I bet I haven't put more than $500 in repairs in the last ten years. Thanks again
John

[04_CaV!!]

I am glad you love your cav. Here's a nightmare for you to ponder. When I owned my old 94 cav I too had a problem with the starter. Let me know if any one can top this. I went threw TEN starters in less than two weeks. I tryed all the "rebuilt" starters out on the market and finally I broke down and spent good money on a brand new one.... My personal thought. Anything that it "rebuilt" wasn't good when it went in. What makes you think it's fixed better than new or just as good as new when you purchace a "rebuilt" anything... ?? Just food for thought when you are standing at the part counter and they ask you. New or rebuilt?