help help starting issue
 

issue is with 1987 420sel(my personal tank)

live in marfa, tx which of course is cold now...west texas

avg temp about 15F in marfa right now...when came out to start car this morning, all normal dash lights came on....buzzer for seat belt...etc

no crank....tried again nothing.....made sure car completely in park...no luck

finally after flagging someone down, i tried again and car started....could the cold be affecting the engine like a diesel? should i install a block heater?

shouldn't i hear click click click when i turn over the ignition?

after successful starting, drove 25 miles to work....just went out after 35 minutes and started car with no issues.....

ideas please.....

lyle in marfa, tx

Hi Lyle,

The first thing I'd do is clean off your battery terminals and then once you've reattached them cover the terminals in petroleum jelly.

Give that a go first - nice and simple first!

X2
When you first tried to start did it turn over?
You could have a battery that is on the way out or something was left on in the car or a failing alternator.
All battery connections is a good first place to start.

Good Luck !!

Hey layback40 we've had a couple of these recently haven't we!

We have had a little international electrical problem tennis lately. Have you got that car going yet?

Ha! What do you think?

I'm not afraid to admit it - I'm a fair weather mechanic - and it has been cold enough here to freeze the bits off of a brass monkey recently...

...I've told the wife I'm in hibernation. And I'm sticking to it.

Over here its getting too hot to work on the car. Under a shady tree until high noon only. After that if you leave a wrench in the sun its too hot to pick up.

Now heat and summer time I can deal with. You're making me jealous.