My car won't start in the cold - what's wrong? | Ask Honest John

My car won't start in the cold - what's wrong?

My Vauxhall Astra 2004 1.6-litre won't start from cold when the outside air temperature is below 6-7 degrees. In the past two days of very mild weather, the car has fired up fine but at the beginning of the week when it was -2 it would not start until I added cold start to the air intake. This has been happening now for six weeks. Any suggestions?

Asked on 9 December 2016 by James Jaffrey

Answered by Alan Ross

Check the ECT (engine coolant temp sensor), as this could be the problem. If you have changed it, then also check the ECT sensor harness multi plug as this is known to come loose/fail due to vibration.

Other that that we would check the CKP (crankshaft position sensor).

Tags: cold weather starting problem owning winter

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