Fed up with my legacy, please help
01-22-2005 | 01:01 PM
#2
when was the last time that u brought it in for a tune up? and as for the battery thing it needs to be replaced every some odd years, its just how it is for cars...
but i'm guessing that because u have gas and a fresh battery and it won't start is due to a short some where in ur car thats just always drawing power, or you need a new engine harness... (i'm guessing a long shot on the harness... )
but yeah... GOOD LUCK!
but i'm guessing that because u have gas and a fresh battery and it won't start is due to a short some where in ur car thats just always drawing power, or you need a new engine harness... (i'm guessing a long shot on the harness... )
but yeah... GOOD LUCK!
01-22-2005 | 01:39 PM
#3
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
this is pretty good timing. My wife and I are visiting friends in Kenmore near ottowa and for the first time in its 10 year life it didn't start.... Its been -30 or so C at night the last few days.. thats pretty dam cold for any car. We used to fuel boost this am and it started after 20 seconds of cranking... I think its just water in the tank that gets frozen. Only suggestion i have is that when its warm our (like in June...) drop the tank and make sure there is 0 water in it... good luck TIm
01-24-2005 | 09:10 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
How do you unfreeze a frozen car?
Hmm.. and to think I was just about to post a new thread: Question of the day: How do you unfreeze a frozen car?
Well, C_Noles.. I've run into your same problem.. Mine is a 1990 Subaru Legacy 2.2L... and here in Connecticut, the past few days have been freezing.
My car cranks, but never starts... when it's cold out that is.
So when you find the answer, please, do share.
Ps. I do not have a battery warmer or any of that fancy stuff.
Well, C_Noles.. I've run into your same problem.. Mine is a 1990 Subaru Legacy 2.2L... and here in Connecticut, the past few days have been freezing.
My car cranks, but never starts... when it's cold out that is.
So when you find the answer, please, do share.
Ps. I do not have a battery warmer or any of that fancy stuff.
01-30-2005 | 11:08 PM
#5
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 110
From: Natick, Massachusetts
Car Info: 1999 Subaru Legacy GT Limited - Quick Silver Metallic
you COULD try adding a can of "Dry gas" to your tank (when its above freezing), and then maybe another can every other tankfull. My understanding is this will absorb some of the moisture in the gas that has accumulated over the years from condensation.
I have never yet had a problem starting my Legacy although last week I had the origional (5 1/2 year old) battary replaced as it had been cranking rather slowly when cold.
I have never yet had a problem starting my Legacy although last week I had the origional (5 1/2 year old) battary replaced as it had been cranking rather slowly when cold.
02-01-2005 | 01:53 AM
#7
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 110
From: Natick, Massachusetts
Car Info: 1999 Subaru Legacy GT Limited - Quick Silver Metallic
Originally Posted by C_Noles
Got another question though, how can you tell if your engine block heater works? should my temp guage be up higher when i start it?
Some engine block heaters are designed to warm an engine up QUICKLY (~20 minutes), while with others your supposed to leave them plugged in overnight. I am not sure what type you have... but the radiator hoses should maybe feel slightly warm to touch... not full operating temperature... but warm enough that it doesnt take the engine long to reach that point.
02-01-2005 | 02:01 AM
#8
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 110
From: Natick, Massachusetts
Car Info: 1999 Subaru Legacy GT Limited - Quick Silver Metallic
Also... Another point... Please be aware that in really really cold weather battaries wont charge/re-charge properly. You have to drive around long enough that the heat from the engine warms the battary enough so that it will charge. If you do/did a lot of short trips when its really cold your battary could get run down really fast, and that MIGHT explain your eairler problems with it.
A special battary heater (sort of a jacket you place around the battary) could help to solve this problem. Not only will the battary charge quicker, but a warm battary will produce much more power than a cold one.
If you are willing to plug in your engine block heater, why not plug in a battary heater as well ?
A special battary heater (sort of a jacket you place around the battary) could help to solve this problem. Not only will the battary charge quicker, but a warm battary will produce much more power than a cold one.
If you are willing to plug in your engine block heater, why not plug in a battary heater as well ?
02-05-2005 | 01:08 PM
#10
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 101
Trickle chargers are the way to go. Battery blankets are good, so are battery pads(what I use). But trickle chargers are my favorite because if you kill your battery from trying to start your car you can let it sit for a day come back and try again.
If your car is totally 100% froze and you need to start it there are a few things you can do. Drain the oil, and replace with warm (room temperature) oil. Same applies to the antifreeze but I find the oil is easier to replace its still tough though because the oil is REALLY thick. But if you can get near an electrical outlet, get a small heater and put it under your engine for a few hours. Be careful not to get to close to electrical wires though or you will melt them. If your battery is the problem, pull it out and charge it indoors so it warms up. Then run out install it and start it.
If your car is totally 100% froze and you need to start it there are a few things you can do. Drain the oil, and replace with warm (room temperature) oil. Same applies to the antifreeze but I find the oil is easier to replace its still tough though because the oil is REALLY thick. But if you can get near an electrical outlet, get a small heater and put it under your engine for a few hours. Be careful not to get to close to electrical wires though or you will melt them. If your battery is the problem, pull it out and charge it indoors so it warms up. Then run out install it and start it.
02-07-2005 | 08:40 PM
#11
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Posts: n/a
Curious, what weight oil are you using? I always try to utilize a lower weight oil in the Winter. The lower the viscosity the easier the motor will be to turnover in cold weather. A low viscosity synthetic, ie. like a zero weight might work well. Being that cold it would probably be a good idea to use some type of drying additive in your gas as well. You have to be careful with drying agents as they are hydroscopic and will attract moisture as well. If you do not fill up very often, this could cause other problems as the gas will attract moisture. Here in Michigan our winter gas has drying agents, lubricants and cleaners added to it, to help prevent freeze ups. Premium gas would probably help as well with its higher octane. I have seen temps down to -25 degrees F but, have always had luck starting my cars.
Another trick that I have utilized is to turn my lights on before starting the car. This works great with a semi dead battery or in cold temperatures as the electricity required to light the lights has a tendency to warm up the battery from the inside. I usually turn the lights on for 2 to 4 seconds and then turn them off before attempting to start my car in really cold temps.
Another suggestion might be to move south......
Another trick that I have utilized is to turn my lights on before starting the car. This works great with a semi dead battery or in cold temperatures as the electricity required to light the lights has a tendency to warm up the battery from the inside. I usually turn the lights on for 2 to 4 seconds and then turn them off before attempting to start my car in really cold temps.
Another suggestion might be to move south......
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