|
Author |
Message |
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: Engine not starting in the cold |
|
|
i have noticed recently (as it is getting a little bit colder) that in the mornings, my mg midget wont start. this only happens on cold mornings. the starter turns, but only a bit as if the battery was almost dead. the battery was charged recently (is a year old), and the alternator charges it.
is it possible that the cold is effecting the battery (how can i stop this)? i have noticed that my earthing strap needs to be replaced, but why would this cause a problem on a cold day, and not a warm day?
the car is fine when i jump start it using a portable jump starter!
thanks _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
intransit
Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 14
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
the colder the oil the thicker it is and therefore the engine is harder to turn . I know this can affect things in midwinter but dont know whether it would have any relevance at this time of year ! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thats a good point, but then why would it start with a battery booster? _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nic Jarman
Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds like your battery has died. If it was a connection the booster would not help much. Do you still have the receipt? _________________ 1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Connect a voltmeter across the battery and observe the voltage while trying to start. If it falls below 10.8 volts the battery is your problem.
The battery works by chemical reaction. Reducing ambient temperatures slows down the reaction and lowers the output voltage.
Now is the time of year when battery sales boom because batteries which staggered on in the (wonderful?) British Summer give up.
Another common cold start problem is resistance through the distributor circuit which reduces sparking voltage to the plugs. i.e. points, points base plate to distributor body and particularly distributor body to earth. _________________ Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thanks for the replies. unfortunatly, i dont have the receipt for the battery. its strange though, the last time this happened i thought the battery was dead, so placed the charger on it. within about 5mins, the charger said the battery was charged. i restarted the engine and everything was fine!
it has been great up untill this morning! _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It could also be caused by a lazy starter motor, in which the booster pack gives it that little extra kick to spin it over a bit faster _________________ ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thats an interesting point. the only issues i have with the starter, is that sometimes it has to be "tapped" with a spanner to get it to engage, apart from that its fine!
anything i can do with a lazy starter? _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If your tapping it to engage it's most likely a dirty bendix. remove the starter and de-grease the bendix with white spirit or similar, do not use any oil before refitting.... _________________ ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
excellent, would that cause bad starting? is it an easy job? _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You need to remove the starter to clean the bendix. Not sure if it will cure your problem but it's a cheap fix and worth a try. If however the starter motor is old and tired then this will not fix it _________________ ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
hmm well the starter is the original i think, though my car has only done 14000 miles. i will take it out and clean it up. _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4127 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Finch661 wrote: | thanks for the replies. unfortunatly, i dont have the receipt for the battery. its strange though, the last time this happened i thought the battery was dead, so placed the charger on it. within about 5mins, the charger said the battery was charged. i restarted the engine and everything was fine!
it has been great up untill this morning! |
Hi if the battery went to full charge in 5 min's. it either was already nearly fully charged or has a very very low capacity, if its the latter check if it needs topping up and if it does (presuming it was topped up when you bought it a year ago) you may have a charging problem; over charging will cause it to gas which is why it needs topping up, so also worth checking the voltage when its being charged by the alternator (I'm assuming its an alternator on a 76 midget)
Cheers Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Finch661
Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
i will have a look and see if the battery needs topped up. the charging voltage is around 13-14V, i have a TIM voltmeter gauge in the cockpit, and there is def some charging going on! _________________ 1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The charging voltage is not really a clue unless you have a high load switched on such as main beam or heater motor. Then it should be around 14.6volts. _________________ Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|