Starting in winter

[89cavalier]

Hi I have a '89 Cavalier 2.0 L fuel injected. I had my car running on Wednesday (the 12th), but it sat outside for Thursday in -37 C, -50 C (with windchill) weather. On Friday morning I tried boosting it but it wouldn't turn over. (It cranks but doesn't want to fire up). The interior lights come on so the battery must still have some juice. I was thinking that the battery is just too cold/some cells are frozen or possibly the starter is going. Anyone have any ideas or advice?

P.S. I am planned to take out the battery and warm it up inside for awhile can anyone tell me the easier and safest way to do so?

Thanks for your time,

Nathan

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

first off it has nothing to with wether or not the battery is warm or not - lol
Are you gettin fuel outa the injectors check em make sure they are spittin fuel when u try an turn the engine over u will need two people for this... also check your spark if you want me to explain how to do that let me know .... if not try those 2 an then let me know whats goin on

[Classicrocjunkie]

Rock a bye battery on the charge cycle,
When the current flows you get a charge,
but when your charge dosn't hold, I think somthing is wrong... down goes the battery to the auto parts store...

.. You might want to take its temperature while your at it...

god damn.. why not just wrap it up in an electric blanket in your engine bay.


sorry but i had to let that out. Your fuel lines could have become frozen due to condensation in them. Try putting the whole car in a heated garage. My gurls cav did this last winter.

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

LMFAO Ya can't be more blunt than that

[89cavalier]

Here in Canada we have a season called winter where it is not uncommon for the temperature to remain at -35 C for days. (not taking into consideration the windchill). You don't think that will have an effect on a battery? Last year my roommate had to remove his battery and warm it up inside as the cells were frozen. Obviously if I had access to a electrical plugin I would have plugged in the block heater, and I don't have a battery warmer.

[planedude]

see if you can hear your fuel pump running when you cycle the key. Some gasline antifreeze might help....

[89cavalier]

What does/should the fuel pump sound like? I think the pump is in my gas tank on my car.

[planedude]

if u take off the gas cap you can hear it better. Just sounds like a humming and should be there for 3 seconds when you turn the key ahead to ACC position.

[cousincletus]

I had the same problem. The car would start and run if I used ether, but wouldn't start on its own. The problem on mine was the coolant temp sensor.

[noshun]

I'm up in Canada too. ON. By the Way, Wind Chill doesn't affect your car! It just breaks thru the invisible layer of insulation your body naturally creates thus "it's -35 but FEELS like -50". Your fuel line has Frozen , would put money on it! Get some of the Red Fule line anitfreeze from crappy tire, it's about $5/$6 for 8 applications although you'll need to get the car somehwere warm enough to thaw what's frozen! Good Luck!

[melissa2000]

Yeah it kinda sucks to start the car in minus 50..lol...push the clutch and it just stays pushed in.....my car starts pretty good..even not plugged in all nite..probably pretty rough on it though. I just got it a week ago and finally figured out i was plugging in the fan to heat the inside of the car instead of the block heater...lol..:S Oh well got er all figured out now...now that its warmer...

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

Originally Posted by noshun

I'm up in Canada too. ON. By the Way, Wind Chill doesn't affect your car! It just breaks thru the invisible layer of insulation your body naturally creates thus "it's -35 but FEELS like -50". Your fuel line has Frozen , would put money on it! Get some of the Red Fule line anitfreeze from crappy tire, it's about $5/$6 for 8 applications although you'll need to get the car somehwere warm enough to thaw what's frozen! Good Luck!

Ya i would have to agree or just add some to his info - its been only about -15 here past few weeks - an thats been enough to freeze peoples lines i have seen it alot in the last week, but what also could be happening is the moisture in the gas tank could be freezin up an the little pieces of ice that are bobbin around in ur Gas tank are cloggin up the fuel filter an not allowing fuel to get through......
good luck with the car - i bet ya wish ya had a garage for times like this- 35 is cold - not fun to be out workin on cars in that temp... bundle up buddy