I have a 95 SC 400 and a neighbor of mine has an SC 300. We both have the same problem, mine is worse however. Whenever the temperature drops below 35 or so, my car just doesn't want to start. I mean, it does sometimes, but if it's 32 degrees or lower, and I don't start my car for a day or two, there's no WAY it's going to start when I go to start it thereafter.

My alternator is good, my starter was replaced and the battery is two years old and according to my mechanic, good. I was told their might be a slow drain electronically, but the car is fine except for in the VERY cold weather. If there was a leak, wouldn't my car have issues in the summer too?

The only thing I can think of is maybe my car doesn't have enough cold cranking.

Is this a common problem? What do you think I should do.

 

My '95 didnt have a problem starting in the cold, but my '99 does. I'm thinking its a maintenance issue, just dont know what. Woulda guessed the things you listed though..

 

it was 5 degrees this morning not counting windchill and she started up fine lol. It does squeek and stuff on the interior a little and something "liquidy" comes from the vents that I have no clue what it is but its goes away when warm.

 

Did ur mechanic check the cold cranking amps (CCA) of ur battery might take a little extra amps to start a cold car with so many cold electronics

 

yep ur batterys CCA is too low for the temps.

 

our cars take 625 ccas to start the car efficiently, my car came with a 575 cca lexus battery

 

When I used to drive my car in the cold, it had no issues whatsoever. Check your battery for sure.

 

Well, do consider that the SC was designed in California with Californians in mind...And here in California, it never gets as cold as it does like where you guys live.

 

My car has been starting just find in the cold so far. The only issue I've been having is my tranny won't shift into 2nd gear very well (manual).

 

No problems here. When I had my old starter before it decided to stick and burn up, it would crank real slow when it got below 10 degrees or so, but it's been perfect so far this winter.

 

I had my car out side in the snow all weekend didnt start it one and when i did need to move it she fired right up no problems at all.

 

No problems here either, starts right up on a first or second time in a 20* weather, even though it's been parked for a week and a half

 

i almost missed class this morning bc the stupid thing didnt start. its my only car i had to call up my mom and use her rav4... (i logged in to find a solution)


anyone have any idea besides the battery on what it could be? i cant miss class as i have a interview for a government job coming up and my perfect attendance hopefully isnt ruined by my sc not starting in 25degree weather

 

this morning, i went out to start my car to warm it up.

it had a hard time getting fired up.

:<

 

My guess would be the battery. I never had trouble starting my SC in the cold.