Starting problem in cold weather

[drdog]

Ok, last winter during a deep freeze I tried to start my 2001 Windstar and everything was dead....The battery was good but when I turned the key to the START position all lights went out and nothing else happened, no clicking, no nothing. So being mechanicly declined I figured I'd pull the starter and test it. Pulled it, tested it, worked fine. Re-installed it, tried starting, silence again. Noticed corrosion on battery posts so I removed battery cables, cleaned posts and clamps, reconnected, tried starting again, NOTHING, turned key five or six times and then SURPRISE! it started as if nothing ever happened and ran just fine until yesterday, (about a year later).

It has been cold as hell here in Chicago the past week and just started getting warmer, (from -20 wind chill to -15), Yesterday I tried to start it and nothing, not a squeak. So this time I decided to mess with the battery cables again. Took them off, cleaned both posts and clamps. re-connected and again, turned the key five or six times and finally it just started up and ran fine for the rest of the day....

This morning I went out to start the car and dead again. I forgot to mention that every time this problem occured I moved the shifter around thinking maybe it's the Neutral Safety switch but that did not help. I will go and play with the cables again and post results a little later.

[goon]

i have had some with the security system do this, when its be cold by the way its been -30 wind chill frees like -45 been like this for two weeks

[drdog]

Originally Posted by goon

i have had some with the security system do this, when its be cold by the way its been -30 wind chill frees like -45 been like this for two weeks

What kind of security system? Factory or aftermarket?

I went and played with the battery cables again with no results. Then I noticed the cover on the fuse/relay box to the right of the battery was loose. I checked in the owners manual and there is a starter disconnect relay in this fusebox so I wiggled it around and also moved around all the relays and fuses there. And it started....so I pulled the starter relay with the engine running, shut the engine down and tried to restart....Nothing happened. After reinstalling the relay the engine started right up.

I am thinking about the alarm thing, I had a Viper aftermarket system installed a couple years ago and noticed under the dash that the installer used the squeeze type wire splicers. That is NOT the correct way to install an alarm system in a vehicle. All splices should be soldered and taped. I am thinking that maybe the alarm installer caused my problems. When it gets warmer I will pull the fusebox and see if the alarm guy screwed anything up underneath. Since he and I were the only ones that worked on my truck and I never took the fuse box cover off and left it flopping around on top.

Just a note for all vehicle owners...If you are having an aftermarket alarm installed talk to the installer, tell him you want all the connections soldered and taped. And that you will want him to show you the locations of the splices when he is done. If the installer refuses or plays dumb, get the hell out of there, you have wasted enough time there already, and you sure as hell do NOT want to waste any money there. Move on and find an alarm company that takes pride in doing the job right the first time.....

I will update this post again in a few days when it gets warm enough to tear this problem apart.

[goon]

being a 01 it should off had a factory system, but if you have had a aftermarket installed it may be the problem, YES I agree soldering should always be done. I have disconnected alot of command starts for starting problems and aftermaket security this is while i do not install them.

[mark v]

First wind chill only effects LIVING things.

Wind chill has no effect on cars, houses, toys, plastic, metal, etc etc etc.

What ever the temp is outside is what your cars temp is, don't go by wind chill temps ever.