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Chevrolet Uplander won't start


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bluetulip21
New User

Jan 24, 2013, 11:28 AM

Post #1 of 9 (12580 views)
Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

Our van has been starting fine up until today. It was -30 this morning, now -23 and it still won't start. The radio goes on, fan blows, lights all come on. But when you turn it to start the horn honks like the alarm is going off and the engine light blinks with it. Husband said this morning the wipers were going and they weren't even on! Is it just that our sensors are frozen? This week it has started good so long as plugged in, so we are confused. Battery is at 10 volts and charger is hooked up since morning too, hasn't made difference besides wipers not going. Please help.


Hammer Time
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Jan 24, 2013, 1:20 PM

Post #2 of 9 (12554 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

You need a new battery and don't skimp on the capacity.



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nickwarner
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Jan 24, 2013, 10:29 PM

Post #3 of 9 (12530 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

Considering the weather in Canada I'd also make sure you have a block heater installed in this and you plug it in.


Hammer Time
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Jan 25, 2013, 4:02 AM

Post #4 of 9 (12521 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In


Quote
Battery is at 10 volts and charger is hooked up since morning too


Not in a million years is that battery going to start that car in cold weather.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



nickwarner
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Jan 25, 2013, 7:48 PM

Post #5 of 9 (12490 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

Indeed not, but with a new battery that will start it you will get higher than normal cylinder wear at a disproportionate rate due to the engine being a block of ice. The heater will take its sweet time to give any semblance of warmth and you could run it for an hour just to defrost the windows. Block heater helps for those that don't have a heated garage to park in. I fully agree that the battery and likely the connections as well need servicing or replacement as they have shown themselves inadequate during testing.


Hammer Time
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Jan 25, 2013, 7:49 PM

Post #6 of 9 (12487 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

I agree



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
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Jan 25, 2013, 7:57 PM

Post #7 of 9 (12477 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

What is a block heater? I keep hearing about it, but don't know what it is.





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Hammer Time
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Jan 25, 2013, 8:00 PM

Post #8 of 9 (12468 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In


Quote
What is a block heater?



You can't be that sheltered in Florida.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



nickwarner
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Jan 25, 2013, 8:06 PM

Post #9 of 9 (12463 views)
Re: Chevrolet Uplander won't start Sign In

They don't sell them to you because people in Florida need them like a lesbian needs a boyfriend. It is a heater element that runs on 110v household current and is a miniature version of a water heater element. It take the place of a frost plug in the water jacket of your engine and has a cord that you route to an easily accessed area of the car, typically through the grille. When you see what looks like an extension cord end hanging from a grill, it plugs into a block heater. You plug that into a cord going to household current and it heats the coolant in the engine. When the air temp is -15 you can imagine the benefit to already getting the coolant up to even as high as 25 degrees. Thats a huge difference. Diesel trucks all use them as they are far more temp sensitive. I've put quilts over motors overnight with block heaters on when the cold gets bad to ensure they would easily fire in the morning. Otherwise I get out the propane torch and that isn't fun.






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