Topic: Brrr...Honda no start condition

[dr_spock]

So it is -16 deg C.  My Honda wouldn't start today.  The engine seemed to be cranking.  I measured 12.something volts on the battery with my multimeter.  I also tried using a power pack to boost, but still no go.  I noticed my wife let the fuel tank dropped to less than 1/4.  Could the fuel line be frozen?  Is it too late to use a gas line antifreeze?  Suggestions?

[Fobroader]

So it is -16 deg C.  My Honda wouldn't start today.  The engine seemed to be cranking.  I measured 12.something volts on the battery with my multimeter.  I also tried using a power pack to boost, but still no go.  I noticed my wife let the fuel tank dropped to less than 1/4.  Could the fuel line be frozen?  Is it too late to use a gas line antifreeze?  Suggestions?

Try boosting your car from another vehicle. How old is the battery?? If anything, get a bottle of gas line antifreeze, after you put it in, Im not kidding, shake your car and bounce the rear bumper. Leave it for a few hours, then try it again. Hopefully the fuel pump is ok.....

[quadzilla]

Wait until tomorrow as it should be above freezing again. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

So it is -16 deg C.  My Honda wouldn't start today.  The engine seemed to be cranking.  I measured 12.something volts on the battery with my multimeter.  I also tried using a power pack to boost, but still no go.  I noticed my wife let the fuel tank dropped to less than 1/4.  Could the fuel line be frozen?  Is it too late to use a gas line antifreeze?  Suggestions?

Was there a big temperature swing? Could be frozen gasline.

Is the engine turning over at a fairly regular speed? Voltage at the terminals won't really tell you that much. I don't know if they still do or not, but CTC used to load test your battery for free. At least it will allow you to rule something out.

[dr_spock]

Thanks guys.  Battery is at least 5 years old.  I think a trip to CTC if it doesn't start at -2 deg. C tomorrow. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Thanks guys.  Battery is at least 5 years old.  I think a trip to CTC if it doesn't start at -2 deg. C tomorrow. 

Five years is getting up there for battery life these days. It'd be my first suspect.

[Fobroader]

5 years is about normal life of a battery. I highly reccomend the motomaster eliminators, cheap and have never let me down.

[Mike]

So it is -16 deg C.  My Honda wouldn't start today.  The engine seemed to be cranking.  I measured 12.something volts on the battery with my multimeter.  I also tried using a power pack to boost, but still no go.  I noticed my wife let the fuel tank dropped to less than 1/4.  Could the fuel line be frozen?  Is it too late to use a gas line antifreeze?  Suggestions?

Was there a big temperature swing? Could be frozen gasline.

If he lives in Quebtario

+7 on Jan 1 as a high
-16 on Jan 3 as a high

 

[Railton]

5 years is about normal life of a battery. I highly reccomend the motomaster eliminators, cheap and have never let me down.

I highly recomend Interstate batteries. CT stuff is all crap, even their best batteries.
Railton

[safristi]

   pay a little more and you won't be LET DOWN on a COLD HARD WINDY DAY with the Loch Ness monster @ yer nadgers..... theres' suicide then there's EXIDE

[Fobroader]

5 years is about normal life of a battery. I highly reccomend the motomaster eliminators, cheap and have never let me down.

I highly recomend Interstate batteries. CT stuff is all crap, even their best batteries.
Railton

Ive never had one problem with the Eliminator series of batteries, if you buy the welfare 72 or whatever series......maybe.

[aaronk]

5 years is about normal life of a battery. I highly reccomend the motomaster eliminators, cheap and have never let me down.

I highly recomend Interstate batteries. CT stuff is all crap, even their best batteries.
Railton

That's kind of generic isn't it? I have bought all my batteries from CT and have never been stranded due to a non-starting car, and that's at least 5 years out of each.

[safristi]

5 years is about normal life of a battery. I highly reccomend the motomaster eliminators, cheap and have never let me down.

I highly recomend Interstate batteries. CT stuff is all crap, even their best batteries.
Railton

Ive never had one problem with the Eliminator series of batteries, if you buy the welfare 72 or whatever series......maybe.

.....


 WELFARE 72...geez I missed that year.... ...does it Keep on Giving Amperes,VOLTS and JUICE MONTHLY!!!!!

[ktm525]

I would get the battery load tested but my bet is on a little fuel line icing although -16 is not all that cold.

[Arthur Dent]

I'd say -16C isn't cold enough to cause any issues for a modern vehicle. I'd first suspect the battery. I had the exact same issue and symptoms with my LeBaron last year. Do have one from another vehicle to swap in as a test? Could take the battery inside to charge as well if you have a battery charger.

[articsteve]

That's kind of generic isn't it? I have bought all my batteries from CT and have never been stranded due to a non-starting car, and that's at least 5 years out of each. 
 
 
 

I'm a regular customer of Crappy Tire, use their MasterCard, but one disservice they do and continue to do is market Exide batteries, but they are not like Railton says, they are PURE crap.

Yes, Interstate great battery, like most Johnson control batteries sold at Wally Word and Costco.

PS  Should get 10 years out of a battery.  Problem is that ppl have gotten used to the Exides and the Delco crappers and now think batteries last 5 years.  The battery in my sled is 12 years old and I don't even bother to charge it.    I better go charge it. 
 

[dr_spock]

Well, turns out it was the old battery. 



Picked up a new Honda battery and installed it in -2 deg. C weather, not as brrr as yesterday.



Now the Civic is more civilized.

Is there something I can put or spray on the terminals to keep them from corroding? 

[rrocket]

Is there something I can put or spray on the terminals to keep them from corroding? 

Dielectric grease.

[Railton]

Well, turns out it was the old battery. 



Is there something I can put or spray on the terminals to keep them from corroding? 

Next time you check your oil drip the oil on the terminals that you wold normally wipe off on your rag to clean the stick. Or, you could use the fancy-schmancy dielectric grease that RR suggests if cost is no object.
Railton

[rrocket]

Well, turns out it was the old battery. 



Is there something I can put or spray on the terminals to keep them from corroding? 

Next time you check your oil drip the oil on the terminals that you wold normally wipe off on your rag to clean the stick. Or, you could use the fancy-schmancy dielectric grease that RR suggests if cost is no object.
Railton

Well I was just trying to think what the rich pricks from Oakville Bronte would recommend....     (BTW..it's like $5 for the stuff). 


PM sent to you, Railton.