car wont start

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

it has been -10 to -40 below here the past few days and now my roomates car wont start. it barely even clicks when she tries to start it. i checked the battery and it is showing 12.7 on the dmm

can i check the starter using a dmm? hows i do dat?

thanks

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[LOW ET 10+ year member]

did you try to jump it?

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

yep, used my car and then an electric battery charger, neither worked

 

[mk_ 10+ year member]

Knock the starter a few times with a hammer or rubber mallet while someone tries to turn the key. If it starts, starter/starter solenoid is bad, replace.

 

[fatboyracing 10+ year member]

Knock the starter a few times with a hammer or rubber mallet while someone tries to turn the key. If it starts, starter/starter solenoid is bad, replace.

x2

 

[zack39648 10+ year member]

maybe the stater has ice formed from condensation in it ?

 

[MkKin420 10+ year member]

Starter could be a bit frozen up. This 0 degree weather makes my starter go very slow, you can hear it, but somehow it manages to turn over. For sure check out the starter.

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

no luck, tried cleaning off the battery contacts with sierra mist and smacking the starter as best i could

told her to just buy a new car since it is a POS anyway

 

[anj46907 10+ year member]

the car is frozen.... along with oil so you wont get shit until the engine warms up. take a foil pan and some charcoil. light the charcoil until the coal burn down to red hot and slide it under the car and under the engine for about a half hour and it will warm it up enough to start.....btw im not bullshitting this works its a trick truck drivers use when our diesels dont start in cold weather

edit: also when ure done warming it make sure u have jumper cables or batter charger hooked up so it gets plenty of juice

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

ya i did notice her oil is really low so it crossed my mind that it could be frozen

unfortunately i dont have any oil to add to it and it is snowing here and the roads are too crappy to go out for some

 

[anj46907 10+ year member]

dont add oil just take a tin baking pan and do the charcoil trick. you dont need to add oil. on our semis we have engine block heaters. basically we plug the truck into any outlet in freezing temps and the block heater keeps the engine around 160 degrees non stop and cyccles the oil and coolant through entire system to keep warm. once you lay the hot charcoal under there its the same concept. the engine will get to optimal running temp and should crank with ease

 

[anj46907 10+ year member]

also what you need to look for to is to make sure the fuel lines and tank didnt gel up. if they did....your gonna have to pay a tech some serious dough to ungel them or.........wait till summer/....but seriously if u have some charcoil and a thin tin pan try it

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

unfortunately i dont have a tin pan and charcoal briquettes laying around either, would still need to go to the store

what if i microwave the oil to heat it first

 

[blackxj 10+ year member]

hit the starter with a metal pipe..if not you can get the positive lead off the starter and jump it straigt to the battery(worst case)

 

[anj46907 10+ year member]

unfortunately i dont have a tin pan and charcoal briquettes laying around either, would still need to go to the store
what if i microwave the oil to heat it first

have u made pre arrangements for funeral?