Dec 10, 2007

So It Starts....

... or in my case, it does NOT start. I went out at 7:30 this morning to sprinkle a bit of ice melt on the driveway and put things in my car that I needed to take to work. The radar detector was making an odd sound. I thought: "What in the world?" I got in to start the car, and guess what? It didn't start! The battery was dead. For the life of me I can't figure out why the battery doesn't hold a charge when the weather gets cold unless I start the car every single day. Ah... now I feel winter is truly here... Snow, ice, car not starting... Oh yeah, bring it on!

So as I write this, the battery charger is doing it's thing and I will be late for work.

8 comments:

Dawn B. said...

wow thats kinda funny because just last week I had the same problem with my truck. Hope you was able to get it fixed.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Poor Meari! i am so glad I don't have to get out in this! We have an uphill driveway and getting back in would be a bugger!

Marita said...

No fun for you. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Sorry bout your car. You'd think the least it could do is break down in warm weather for ya. :-)
Barb in TX

Anonymous said...

Given that it's always in cold weather, I'm going to rough guess that you have a wiring problem, and that because metal shrinks in cold, the wires aren't quite touching now.

However, it's a good idea to invest about $30 in a portable battery charger. You can get them at Walmart or Target in the automotive section. Cause you never know when you might find yourself sitting in a parking lot after a day of shopping with a dead battery cause you forgot about your headlights.... And if it turns out that your current problem isn't wiring (or if the cables are corroded enough that they aren't making contact with the battery), then it may be enough to help you get through.

Kendra said...

My IL's have a car that has this exact same problem - if you don't start it every day, it takes *forever* to get it going. And it's only in the winter. Fortunately, it's only affected our plans just a couple of times, and now that we have to drive our own verhicle everywhere when we visit them (gotta have the carseats for the girls), it's not an issue for us anymore.

Hope you get it figured out!

shutterbug (Elaine) said...

Have the alternator checked. That's what charges your battery when the car is running. If it's not charging it and then plus the cold weather your battery could be going dead. If you have an 'Auto Zone' store around there just go in and ask if they can check it for you. They have a thingy they bring out to the car and hook up. It takes not time at all and it's free. At least it is at all of them here here. Maybe call first just to be sure.
Hope this helps. :o)
Hugs, Elaine

Julie R said...

Sorry you are still having trouble with your car. Does it have like heated seats or heated sideveiw mirrors that could be kicking on in the cold? My husband suggested taking it to the dealership and having them test the load. That maybe there was something that wasn't kicking off or was kicking on when it shouldn't.