E86 seems a bit lethargic to start in the cold weather

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 10:24 pm

Perfectly good healthy battery, however, in the last few days, first thing in the morning, the coupe seems a bit tired when starting. Once the car has been up and running a bit, if you stop and restart, it starts without issue.
Is this a sign of a failing starter motor, or just the fact its getting cold??
As I get older, I find it hard to get out of bed first thing in the morning

GadgetMart · Post by **GadgetMart** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:30 am

Are you sure the battery is ok?
They can read the correct voltage but not be able to deliver the ampage to start the car, (cold cranking amps)
Has it got the correct larger battery on it required for the 3.0 engine - the 2.5i can get away with a smaller battery.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:06 am

GadgetMart wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:30 am Are you sure the battery is ok?
They can read the correct voltage but not be able to deliver the ampage to start the car, (cold cranking amps)
Has it got the correct larger battery on it required for the 3.0 engine - the 2.5i can get away with a smaller battery.

It’s a Bosch S5 battery that’s only about 6 months old. Was told by a garage recently that the battery was in good shape.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:04 am

Same as mine, so ordered a new starter. It was doing it in the summer as well though.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:28 pm

This morning. 7.30am.
Turned the ignition, the auto xenon’s came on. Starter barely sounded as if it was turning over.
Turned lights off. Engine fired into life straight away.
Currently have it charging to see if that makes any difference.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:29 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:04 am Same as mine, so ordered a new starter. It was doing it in the summer as well though.

Can you get to the starter underneath or do you have to remove the manifold?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:42 pm

I was following a thread from here that was pretty clear on how to do it without dismantling the engine

Let me search the link again

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:43 pm

Here:

viewtopic.php?t=116463

abar121 · Post by **abar121** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:45 pm

Check the battery voltage before starting it up.

A new battery can still go flat pretty quickly in this weather, if not used.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:39 am

Had the battery on charge for the last few days.
Took it off the car and 5 mins later went to start the car.
Starter hardly moved when the auto lights came on. Turned them off and it started, but quite reluctantly.
Voltage appears good.
Reckon the battery CCA is dead or could it be the starter on its way out?

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:40 pm

It’s the starter, it’s a very common fault.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:41 pm

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:40 pm It’s the starter, it’s a very common fault.

Thanks.
Once the engine has been running for a bit, further start/stops are completely fine. Reckon its still sounds like the starter?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:52 pm

Yep, mine does the same. Think on cold it gets stuck but when hot it is ok

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:17 pm

pvr wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:52 pm Yep, mine does the same. Think on cold it gets stuck but when hot it is ok

Thanks. Up until this colder weather it had been fine. I know the voltage is good and the alternator is good, but I’d never considered the colder weather.

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:28 pm

Yes, mine was also exactly the same. A new battery made little difference then after about two years it just wouldn’t start one morning.
The new starter spins the engine over significantly faster than the old one ever did.

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