Odd electric glitch on starting now the weather is cold

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:05 pm

Went to use the van for the first time in a week. Switched on, glow plug light went out and I waited a few seconds more to let the plugs keep warming, turned the key, nothing. No attempt to spin the starter, just a dead circuit. I checked and turned off both front and rear heater fans, which were the only electric items left on. Tried ignition again and it fired up 1st time, with no sign that the battery was tired.

Drove a few miles to Asda, and it did the same thing when I got back in. I'd left the fans on again, so turned them off and away it went 1st time. It's done it once more since. On each occasion the weather was around freezing and the van was pretty iced up initially.

I wondered if there was any clever Japanese wizardy at work, whereby due to the cold the van had to have all electrics turned off to help the battery, or is this indicative of a battery problem?

Any thoughts?

D

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:16 pm

I wondered if there was any clever Japanese wizardy at work

It would be nice to think so but no, more likely the sign of a tired battery requiring more power to turn over the engine in the cold weather.

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:25 pm

Hope springs eternal Ian.....but I doubted it was anything more than the weather/lack of recent use and the battery itself.