If you need more cranking available amps from a battery. you could connect a second source.
But it is not clear what is happening during the 3-4 key-ups.
Can you hear the starter engage ? but it does not have enough battery capacity to turn the engine?
So why would it then have it the fourth time?
You have not warmed the battery at this point.
You could clean connections throughout the system as required.
I suspect the starter contacts./ connections at the solenoid and
Inside the starter.The repeated tries arrange the parts to make a good connection.
After having the battery checked, ask them to inspect the starter for voltage drops in the circuits or loss of power at the start enable circuit. The repeated tries tell me there is something that changes about the solenoid or its connections
But since this vehicle can have passlock issues, look for the blinking light during the time it is acting up and just leave the key on and wait.
If you have an enhanced code for recognizing the key, you could have your GM dealer help.
There are methods for bypass in these systems as well after diagnosing leads to expensive issues with repeat replacement of parts. If you have passlock, you should eliminate it as a possible cause.
The trick is to listen to what you can hear from the starter during the first 3 tries. click only? click and engagement? click, engagement and tries to turn the engine? or NO click?
Once you have the symptoms nailed down, you can relate them to your dealer.
UPDATE : You still have not clearly defined the problem.
If your battery has been proven to be the cause, and you have proved it by substituting a good battery that was at full charge, then you have the answer, your battery has its own unique problem, You dont see all your neighbors carrying their batteries inside . DO YOU?
Im the same way with my car. On my old car when it would get this cold I would just take out the battery and bring it inside. My current car the manufacture put the battery in the front bumper and only way for me to get to it is teakettle wheel off and I don't have the tools to do that so what I did was just bought a portable jumper in case it decides to die on me. Have your battery amps checked it may be time for a new battery or like others have said it could be time for a tune up as some fluid may have thickened with the cold.
Take it out and stick it inside the apartment for this will take a day to warm up. While you are waiting, find the apartment manager or landlord and find out what they have for plug ins(they have one for their car you can bet) and see if you can work out something that way. Even for only an hour(I use a timer on extension cord) Hour is more than enough and I have an engine block heater. Your battery is 10 years old going on 11. They usually last 5 to 7 years. So it is battery purchasing time.(always seems to happen before Christmas) on a holiday at night in the blowing cold.
Turning the key 3-4 times is a bad habit. In real cold, this can flood the engine (in a computerized car). Turn the key until it starts. Do NOT pump the gas pedal or push the gas pedal on a cold start. You need to be trained on how to start the car. If your battery can't crank the engine enough on the first try, it's injured or old. Replace it.
Stop at auto parts store and have them load test your battery.
If you truly want to warm the battery, bring it into the house overnight. Then it will be warm. It takes several hours to warm a cold battery. Otherwise, find the problem. It might be the charging system (alternator).
Sounds like you need a new battery or something, but the best thing I have seen done to get an engine started in subzero temperatures is to place some hot coals on a shovel and place under the oil pan for 10 or 20 minutes before starting.
Is your fuel system losing it's prime overnight? Try this turn the key to the on position for 3 seconds turn off and repeat 3 times then try to start. If it starts then that is the real problem. Synthetic motor oil helps too.
Your battery is dying, and/or does not have a large enough capacity (cold cranking amperage, or CCA) for your climate. Of course, the vehicle may also need maintenance, which will not help matters. A band-aid "solution" such as a warmer (which you can't plug in anyway) will not help. The ONLY fix is to buy a new battery.
usually when i cant turn on a car i turn the key and just start stomping on the gas at the same time works every time also theres battery chargers that dont need to be connected to any outlet u should look into buying one.
Time to have the battery load tested. Stop by Pep Boys today.
Over the last few weeks, the lows have been in the single digits. I have had trouble with my 2004 Colorado not starting (or starting after I turn the key three or four times). I live in an apartment, so plugging in is not an option.
Time to have the battery load tested. Stop by Pep Boys today.
Hi are you sure its the battery and not to thick oil or car needing a tune up.. Does it spin over but not start? then its not the battery. could be fuel or ignition problem, Does it spin slowly? could be battery or to thick oil or bad starter.
good luck
tim
Time to have the battery load tested. Stop by Pep Boys today.
Grab a couple of packages of the hand warmers hunters use and wrap them around in some kind of insulation.
Move to a place where it doesn't get so cold ! I live in South Texas !
Hello
Prevention better as no cure. Wrap it in part of a blanket or something when you get home
Andy C
Move to a place where it doesn't get so cold ! I live in South Texas !
Move to a place where it doesn't get so cold ! I live in South Texas !
Flame thrower or a cutting torch
remove the battery and bring it indoors.
idk
