hard time starting in colder weather?

hi guys, my 320i is having trouble strating on weather colder the arounf 5 degrees. i have to keep it plugged in just so it would start whenever its cold.. this is prolly not energy efficient. you guys have any idea why would my bimmer not start in colder weathers? my 91' honda does NOT have this problem. starts in one click in -37C.


your reply is appreciated.

Thanks
joel

How old is your battery?

Sent from my LG Revolution 4G using BimmerApp

bout 2 years.

i have tried with gas line antifreeze but i dont think its the problem since i make sure i go to the last 60 kilometers til empty then i re fuel to the top every single refil. i dont know what else to try. and this is my first bimmer.

how do i make a signature?

The first thing I'd suggest would be to have your battery load tested for free at any auto parts store. Two years isn't very long for a battery, but a number of factors can determine battery life.

Its now -10 where i am. I had to boost my car with one of those heavy duty pirtable 3000 peak amps boosters just so i can go home. While i was boosting i noticed the CCA of my battery is only 580.. According to a thread that ijacked here bout CCA its suppose to be 650 for factory.. Can it really make a difference in cca? Its just 70cca difference...please pardon my ignorance...


Does this mean more cca the better? I would imagine more cca means more $$$$?

Thanks for your reply.
Joel

Yes, the more CCA, the better. There are two things you should consider with batteries. Those things are A) CCAs, and B) reserve capacity (rated in minutes). Still, I'm surprised that you couldn't start your car with 580 CCAs available.

I tried three times and each try is about 10 second in length... I actually think im gonna fry the starter... Even with the boost on i had to try a few times and pump the gas pedal fully, could this be a fuel pump issue? This only happens when cold and start fine during the summer/fall..

Is the car cranking slower than it should? If it cranks normally, but takes longer to start, you probably have issues that are unrelated to your battery.

After the third time it starts to slow down... I was thinking it might be bdischarging the battery by that time..

Try turning the key on for 5 seconds then off then back on for 5 again repeat a few times before cranking/running the batt down.., This will prime the engine and help with starting...

Wait is your car a hybrid or regular? Your description sounds as if it were a hybrid but I might be wrong. As far as not starting in cold weather check battery first..

Originally Posted by GeorgeBush234

Wait is your car a hybrid or regular? Your description sounds as if it were a hybrid but I might be wrong.

Originally Posted by GeorgeBush234

Wait is your car a hybrid or regular? Your description sounds as if it were a hybrid but I might be wrong. As far as not starting in cold weather check battery first..

Hey cmon, my E36 is a hybrid. I mean it gets pretty decent gas mileage and some people think I'm gay for driving one! (pretty silver color, probably)

still having a hard time starting with a new battery with 850 cca and 120 rc. what do you guys think?

Originally Posted by zachiepie

Hey cmon, my E36 is a hybrid. I mean it gets pretty decent gas mileage and some people think I'm gay for driving one! (pretty silver color, probably)

You too eh? I had to get a license plate frame that said "JUST so you know, I'm not gay by driving this! Not that there's anything wrong with that." It's hard to read because there's not much space on the plate frame

OP, just food for thought, you might have a fuel system leak. Your fuel system might not be staying pressurized after you shut the car off for a few hours or a day, so when you go to restart it the car needs to build fuel pressure up again. You can have that tested, that is probably what I would do next.

is testing the fuel pressure something an average person can do? im a building operator by trade, wondering what tools will be needed? i have a copy of a manual as well. a brand new fuel pump cos $400 here so im trying to avoid it if its not what i need.

Try Princess Auto. See if they have a fuel pressure gauge. Failing that just order one from http://www.amazon.com (not .ca, but .com).

Edit: Canadian Tire has one, but it's the Equus one and the basterds want $60 for it.

Originally Posted by madyicstik

is testing the fuel pressure something an average person can do? im a building operator by trade, wondering what tools will be needed? i have a copy of a manual as well. a brand new fuel pump cos $400 here so im trying to avoid it if its not what i need.

You probably do not need a new pump, as i am assuming your car runs well once the damn thing actually starts. But perhaps there is a hose somewhere or the rail or a gasket or something that is bleeding the pressure, causing the pump to do work overtime at startup to rebuild lost pressure.

Take a look at Bentley, and search around the internet to see whether fuel pressure leaks for these cars match your symptoms.

Originally Posted by DinanM3e36

Try turning the key on for 5 seconds then off then back on for 5 again repeat a few times before cranking/running the batt down.., This will prime the engine and help with starting...

Did you try this?

In your first post you mention -37c well thats f ing cold no matter where your from.
whats plugged in a battery charger or a dipstic heater.
New battery well lock at your connection at the battery and your starter
I'm not sure where your battery is in your 320 I assume its in your trunk try to chase the main wire to the starter check for cracks.
Anytime a starter went bad for me it was usually winter.
you keep giving us bits and pieces of info does the car run alright after you start???
Is this symtom only in the morning???? or after it sits for awhile
Help us help you

Worst case scenario, take it to Sheni's Auto Trend 5306 3 Street Southeast Calgary, AB T2H 1J8
(403) 243-3232.

Originally Posted by DinanM3e36

Did you try this?

i did try did it more than you said i should. i even tried pressing the pedal while cranking it. it starts after 6 or 7 times of cranking it and once it starts its good until i get to my work place go to work and i have to remember to start it around 1pm then it starts id say in one crank sometimes 2. in the morning after about 6 or 7 times of trying it the cranking slows down i believe i drained the battery too much and thats where the boosting comes in. boost it and prolly about the 3rd time i try it then it starts.


apologies if im not giving anymore information... i just dont know where to look and the manual the i got dont state how to check the pump.. please let me know what else i should be adding here..

joel

Could be a gremlin fuel relay, due to extremely cold temps