There is nothing worse than having trouble starting your car when winter is outside the window and you are in a hurry to get to work. Your obligations will not wait, and the engine, as if out of spite, refuses to start. You feel mounting frustration and wonder what is causing this state of affairs. What is going on with your car that it will not start on a cold engine? In this article you will learn the potential causes of this situation.
Car struggles to start on a cold engine - how does it work?
Starting the engine results from several processes taking place within your vehicle’s drivetrain. To start the engine, it is essential to turn the crankshaft at the appropriate speed. This makes it possible to draw in the air-fuel mixture, which causes compression and, as a result, ignition - in other words, the starting of the vehicle.
The starter is responsible for spinning up the crankshaft. It is equipped with a small gear that has to mesh with the specific teeth located directly on the flywheel. It is worth knowing that the starter’s operation is limited only to the moment of starting the engine.
The starter’s operation, however, requires electric current, and for that a battery is needed. Its operation is precisely controlled by the ignition switch with the key. The moment you insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it, power is supplied to the starter, which moves the flywheel. Sometimes this does not happen and turning the key does not bring the desired results. This may indicate the flywheel turning slowly, and therefore problems with the starter, a weak battery, or a poor ground on the engine block.
Diesel struggles to start - the cause
Problems starting a cold engine can be caused by many factors. Below you will find a list of the most commonly occurring faults responsible for the lack of ignition.
- Faulty starter - we mentioned this above. Over time, the starter in your vehicle undergoes natural wear, which can ultimately lead to ignition problems. If it is the starter that fails, replacing this component is necessary. Usually, starter wear is signalled by a lack of response after turning the key in the ignition switch or by a slow cranking.
- Problem with the wiring - between the battery and the starter there is a wiring harness that fails relatively often. If this is the kind of fault that has appeared in your car, then you are certainly dealing with intermittent starter operation and problems starting on a cold engine.
- Discharged battery - the problem of starting on a cold engine often also concerns an insufficient amount of current reaching the starter. In a situation where the battery is discharged or weakened, it turns out to be necessary to recharge it or, in extreme cases, to replace the entire component. Check whether the battery terminals are not corroded, as this can block the proper flow of current. It will also be a good idea to inspect the fastening of the clamps and their cleanliness.
- Ignition switch failure - like everything, the ignition switch also wears out over time. Problems are usually signalled by this component heating up. In such a situation, the culprit is the wiring. It may also turn out that the ignition switch is so badly damaged that replacement will be necessary.
- Damaged fuel pumps - a cold engine will not start when it does not receive a sufficient amount of fuel. The pump responsible for the flow of diesel fuel to the injectors can break down over time, with starting problems being its first sign.
- Clogged fuel filter - a diesel also runs poorly when the fuel filter is heavily contaminated. Do not forget about regularly replacing this component to avoid trouble with starting.
- Contaminated fuel - the cause of the lack of ignition is often the low quality of the fuel being tanked. Only use the services of reputable fuel stations to be sure that your engine receives a mixture capable of meeting its requirements. Also remember that hard starting can be caused by an empty fuel tank. Water then condenses out of the air, and its contact with the remnants of fuel is very harmful to the engine.
Car struggles to start on a cold engine - do not take it lightly
Do not treat a lack of ignition on a cold engine as something normal. If your vehicle is fully operational, problems of this kind should not occur regardless of the season. Also remember that delaying the elimination of the cause of the problem will cause the faults to deepen and, over time, turn into a serious breakdown that will effectively immobilise your vehicle and expose you to high repair costs. So go to a mechanic sooner and ask them to check the glow plugs, the fuel pump, the starter, the ignition switch, the battery, and the relay wiring.
