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battery dead when cold outside
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konajill
New User
Nov 25, 2007, 10:53 AM
Post #1 of 6
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battery dead when cold outside
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Hi
This is my first time here and I am desperate.
I have a 1996 Chey blazer s10 that will not start when it is cold out but if warm weather starts fine. If I charge the battery up it will run fine the rest of the day.
Put a brand new battery in it on Friday and still the same thing happens. I am presuming that there is a short or something that is drawing it down but why only when cold out, I have power door locks and windows, cigarette lighter and that is about it, No other accessories have been added to it since I got it used a few years ago, Hope someone can give me some sort of idea where to start to look and thanks Sandy
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Vinnysnismo
User
Nov 28, 2007, 12:00 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1817 views)
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Re: battery dead when cold outside
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Im going to assume that it has the 4.3L vortec 6cyl. When you say it wont start...do you mean it wont even crank over? Or does it crank just not want to start? Does anything happen when its cold(lights work,stereo,heater,etc?) How old is the battery? You probably need a battery with more CCA(cold cranking amps). Get a voltameter and check the voltage and amperage of the alternator and post a reply.
vince
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konajill
New User
Nov 28, 2007, 12:41 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1813 views)
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Re: battery dead when cold outside
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Hi
Thanks for the reply. My battery is brand new as of last Friday as Auto Zone went ahead and replaced it to make sure that was not the problem. My mechanic has checked out the alternator also which is putting out fine. When I go to start it there are no lights or anything at all but if I use my large charger on it for a few minutes it will start right up and then run and start fine the rest of the day. We have checked all other lights such as under the hood and interior ones to make sure that none of them are staying on so at this time we have a feeling that it is a short somewhere but why it only happens when the temps are down below roughly 35 degrees is the big puzzle. Sandy
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Vinnysnismo
User
Nov 28, 2007, 1:00 PM
Post #4 of 6
(1811 views)
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Re: battery dead when cold outside
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When it wont start i would try testing the battery for its amperage. Also when you shut your car off check for a voltage drain. If the battery is slowly loosing voltage then you probably have a short somewhere. To narrow the drain down start pulling fuses until there is no drop any more. That will tell you where to start looking(if its a voltage drain) Now as to why it only happens when freezing out.......thats interesting. Make sure autozone replaced the battery with one that has sufficient CCA for your climate. If it gets cold a lot you probably want to get a battery with more CCA. I once purchased a battery for my full sized GMC from wal-mart. I used it to start my little nissan pulsar and it had a hard time turning the motor over(wrong CCA for car). I figured it would be sufficient since i was using a big truck's battery, but that was not the case. Did your mechanic check the AMPERAGE output of the alternator? Sometimes they will put out the right voltage but not the right amps.
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konajill
New User
Nov 28, 2007, 2:33 PM
Post #5 of 6
(1805 views)
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Re: battery dead when cold outside
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Hi
the new battery is a 650 cca one which should be sufficient as that is what I have had in the car since it was new. I am dropping it off at the garage next week and have made a note of what you suggested and will give that to Kyle my mechanic in case he misses something in checking it out. It sure can drive one nuts and thanks for the replies and will post back here when I have an idea of what is going on with it Sandy
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Vinnysnismo
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Nov 28, 2007, 2:47 PM
Post #6 of 6
(1804 views)
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Re: battery dead when cold outside
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Good luck with your troubles. Keep in mind that a battery can freeze at low temperatures. A battery wont freeze if it is charging tho. I would buy a "battery blanket". It wraps around the battery to keep it from freezing. A battery(even a brand new one) will not work as good when it is freezing out. Make sure all your wires(battery, ground and starter) are good with a voltage drop test. -very important- good luck
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