Engine will not start in cold weather, just makes a single clicking noise

Mike1313 · 01-26-2007, 07:52 PM

Hi everyone, I have a 2001 TJ and when it is very cold outside the engine will not start. When I turn the key nothing happens, just a single clicking noise. If I try turning the key many times (like 10-50) eventually the engine cranks over like normal. When it does crank over it starts perfectly fine. This only happens when I first start the engine in very cold weather.

Everything else works fine, (i.e. radio, etc.) when it won't start, so it's definetly not a bad connection on the battery.

Any help would be greatly appricated.

surfcaster · 01-26-2007, 08:02 PM

Sounds like it's time for a new battery.

**Rocky529** · 01-26-2007, 08:03 PM

Mike1313 · 01-26-2007, 08:05 PM

Definitely not the battery, when it does start, even in very cold weather it cranks over just like it was the middle of summer. It doesn't struggle or anything. It kind of a wierd problem

Fox Fader · 01-26-2007, 08:05 PM

It still could be the battery connection. Don't count it out cause the cold cranking amps that are drawed takes a good connection, turing on a radio dosen't.

Starter relay
Ignition switch (key)
Ignition starter switch

Mike1313 · 01-26-2007, 08:09 PM

Ya, I'll check the connections on the battery in the morning. Probably have to bring it to the garage to check the switches. I tried to get an error code off the odometer, but nothing comes up, so it's not tripping an error.

Fox Fader · 01-26-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1313

Ya, I'll check the connections on the battery in the morning. Probably have to bring it to the garage to check the switches. I tried to get an error code off the odometer, but nothing comes up, so it's not tripping an error.

Shorts normally don't unless they are from a sensor, then the ECU will call it a faulty sensor.

Mike1313 · 01-26-2007, 08:16 PM

So do you mean that most faulty electrical switches or relays sould trip an error code, and if no code are tripped then I could just have a bad connection?

It's wierd because when I start in cold weather I can turn the key once and nothing happens, then the next time I turn the key it cranks over fine.

Fox Fader · 01-26-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1313

So do you mean that most faulty electrical switches or relays sould trip an error code, and if no code are tripped then I could just have a bad connection?

No! SENSORS TRIP CODES, not switches & realys. Now they may cause some sensors not to work properly, but this is not the case with 'cranking'.

97_tj · 01-26-2007, 08:56 PM

check your connections at starter and at the battery

VTECZILLA · 01-27-2007, 06:55 AM

Its the Batt, thats it, nothing else.

jm708 · 01-27-2007, 07:23 AM

take your battery to auto zone or some store like that.Most will check it for free. My vote would me the batteyr is bad.

Gav'spurplez · 01-27-2007, 08:23 AM

i would say if it clicks one time and then you continue to try it,
after how ever many times, then it starts, sounds like a starter

the GCs with the 4.7 had this problem,

i would check the battery too just in case,

Rule303 · 01-27-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav'spurplez

i would say if it clicks one time and then you continue to try it,
after how ever many times, then it starts, sounds like a starter

the GCs with the 4.7 had this problem,

i would check the battery too just in case,

I agree. Its could be a starter problem as well . Could be connections or the starter itself. The fact that cold affects it could also mean a bad battery. Just because accessories work doesn't mean the battery is good. Takes a whole lot more amps to start than it does to run a radio.
Sounds like you need to test the battery first, then look further if thats not it.

wcurleyq · 01-27-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav'spurplez

i would say if it clicks one time and then you continue to try it,
after how ever many times, then it starts, sounds like a starter

the GCs with the 4.7 had this problem,

i would check the battery too just in case,

I think you sir are correct. My opinion is that the armature in the starter has locked down aginst the windings and then when you hit the key, you are generating heat which expands the outer housing. This in hand gives clearnce the motor needs to start turning, and walla, the engine is running until you cut it off for a long time and the process starts all over.