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1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue


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ShinyGrAm
User

Jan 26, 2015, 9:36 AM

Post #26 of 33 (757 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

The voltage issue is possible. In an effort to deal with that I replaced the battery. That stopped it from running down before it starts but it may still be low voltage as it still seems to struggle a bit on cold cranking. I tested to see how much current is being drawn when the car is totally off >> got 100mA. Is that too much?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 26, 2015, 10:10 AM

Post #27 of 33 (737 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

FYI - Took out a second post as nothing was there. FYI again - look for "view all" up top as we are on page 2 now for posts.


1. 100ma what? Are you checking for a drain on battery? That would be too much but you have to wait even on this vintage till all funky anythings in it go to sleep if you will for that and it does count on this model year!


50ma would be acceptable or less. Keep in mind if using a disconnected battery cable you are resetting memory on this thing and that alone can take time to get any help from any possible codes for OBD1 systems. If that, car might stall a lot at idle for a while now but shouldn't prevent immediate start ups.


Said - I live this. -10F only so far this season, normal for here, Mass, US. I keep a voltmeter in a cig lighter or power port and watch the damn voltage drop everytime I start a vehicle! It's fair warning to me something isn't right if below 9.5V as said.


Plain volts without getting out of the car/vehicle is wild info never mind fool gauges on dash I want real for me. I'm beating up on this because you'll go all over hell and back over a stupid bad battery, connection, cable under par type thing and haven't tested it yet!


I'm not reading back the whole thread so know this about battery crap and cold. CCA rating should be on it. That's the power available @ 32F. At 0F it's tons less again so you get more than what might be average for the car if always expecting cold of the sort. New is the only time a battery is at its best potential like a bouncing ball it loses some smidge with every day and every start you do so the rating drops off in a normal situation, not maybe, always!


Dang lead/acid batteries flake when worked too hard taking away potential day one even if you don't pay attention. If one is left dead in below 15-20F it will freeze and either instantly be junk or lost tons for that. Some crack wide open and spill - remind me not to store the pile of dead batteries outdoors anymoreCool - what a mess!


What brings this whole problem to a common denominator is cold start once if I understand you then it's perfect all the time after that so what do you think you'll find when it's perfect? Not much or anything so you've been asked to test things. Where are the results?


See - the second a car/vehicle starts up the alternator is working it's brains out putting back what it took to crank it - right away and that alone warms up the battery so doesn't even take the full time for FULL charge to have more power if you started it again in even 1 minute. Oil had been circulating so better there too.


Car is older and Winter is upon us and will next season too. What people might do in EXTREMES and you really aren't there yet as people live where it's lots colder is put block heaters on engines, cover hoods with blanket even hang light bulbs (don't bother) under hoods for some heat. Better yet and not everyone can is always park in a garage and if heated that much better.


I think your volts drop just enough too low to throw things off. Everything in it counts on it staying in a range of volts. If low enough AMPS seen as low volts too for this it really should flutter starter solenoids earlier but it just doesn't and some don't.


Test away and post results,


T



ShinyGrAm
User

Jan 26, 2015, 11:04 AM

Post #28 of 33 (733 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

Over the years I've had many occasions where I needed to clean contacts to solve a problem. I got in the habit of covering the contact with silicon after cleaning and reconnecting it. This included the battery ground where it connects to the block and the positive leads at the starter junction. Some connection probably needs cleaning again. I lost my meter so I won't have one until the eBay order gets here.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 26, 2015, 12:32 PM

Post #29 of 33 (727 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

OK - They make Silicone Grease AKA dialectic that pretty much does the trick forever. Spray good. If a problem to solve PB, dry, sand or brush then grease.


Around those years nice copper wire and lead cables were fading out and no nice words for that trick by car makers.


Screw Ebay - you are wasting both time and money plus potential damage to starter and battery waiting for a flicking voltmeter! $10 Wallyworld, NAPA likely too. Full digital DVOM $6.99 at Harbor Freight stores if one near you. Check Autozone, and parts anything even the big box stores that would sell batteries for one that goes in a cig lighter so you see it without getting out even.


Cheap is usually cheap and not for routine use IMO.


You can about tell by looking at a dome light forced on while cranking how dim it gets.


More results may be required checking not just battery bolt but try other ends of battery cable for comparison will show if cable itself has lost it otherwise what you've done is great. Most never touch anything or able to keep a car now 22 years or so and at wild high miles you've done something right,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 26, 2015, 2:59 PM

Post #30 of 33 (722 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In


Quote
got 100mA. Is that too much?


You have to wait for the timers to expire before you can read that.



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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.



ShinyGrAm
User

Jan 26, 2015, 3:49 PM

Post #31 of 33 (717 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

Not many timers expiring on a 1993. Most of the current is being drawn by devices I've added over the years: alarm, remote start, special circuits (light and beeper) to complement the warning lights, circuit to light when gas is low, electric trunk lock and larger trunk bulbs. It's pretty unique.
I'll try watching the courtesy lights while starting. Will do more tests when I get my meter. Thanks.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 26, 2015, 4:09 PM

Post #32 of 33 (714 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

It should still have some timers on things like courtesy lights. Some modules don't go to sleep right away.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 26, 2015, 5:08 PM

Post #33 of 33 (712 views)
Re: 1993 Pontiac Grand Am - Cold Weather Start Issue Sign In

I can't be certain on a '93 Grand Am but know for sure a '90 Cutlass Supreme (loaded with toys too) did have lots to time out. If I recall and wonder sometimes on that, if you wanted to drain it out faster turn things on with battery disconnected for a while then take your drain test.


Why are we worrying about a parasitic drain now at all? None of the prior symptoms suggest that to me.........


T







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