Help - 1988 560 Sel
 

It has gotten really cold in good old New Jersey these last couple of days.

My car clicks when I turn the key and after a couple of tries and clicks, it fires up and runs normally.

Can someone provide some insight into what this may be? The battery is fine (Pep Boys claim).

Should I replace the Voltage Regulator? Would that be the issue?

Also, I have enough coolant in the car and it does not over heat. I changed the fluids about a year ago but, at times, the Coolant light comes on and goes off after a bit. Dunno why that is happening either. Thoughts please?

Thanks much for your time and your responses.

hello

you still got to suspect the battery/charging system. it sounds as if the only problem is engine turning over. and that is a battery or storage issue. you may not be giving enough charge to the battery when running so check your altenator for output make sure of the age of the battery. if it's 3 years old well maybe you need a new one even if it's a 72 month.

the voltage reg is on the back side of the altn. wouldn't be out of line to do that anyway. appx 15yrs? they sell here for 18$

i believe auto zone can check your charging system. cold effects the turning of the engine both on the battery CCA and the cold oil etc.

good luck
craig

See if you can borrow a known good battery from another car to eliminate the battery as the problem. Then clean the battery cables -- both ends of each cable! If the car has been stored for any length of time it may need to be trickle charged. How old is the battery?

Coolant level sensors are known to go bad. Yours may need to be replaced.

If the starter clicks and won't turn over and then after a few tries turns over with the proper speed - forget the battery and charging system. Make sure your battery connections are clean and tight and make sure the connections to the starter are clean and tight. If those are good and it still clicks as it gets colder - suspect a sticking starter solenoid - on it's last legs - replace the solenoid on the starter. A quick check would be to bypass the solenoid - if the starter then cranks - it definately is the solenoid.