Starting delay...

[SleepinGVR4]

This just started happening when it got real cold out.

In the morning when I start my car sometimes I have to hold the key to the ignition position for 5 seconds before the car will start to turn over.

My car always starts but only after sitting all night does it have a delay.

Is this the little starting gear on the starter getting stuck, before it makes contact with the flywheel?

 

[G]

What weight oil do you have installed?

 

[Tommyd]

I have the same thing happening. Once the engine bay is warm or it's warmer than 50 degrees it's fine. No idea what's causing it though

 

[SleepinGVR4]

Quoting G:
What weight oil do you have installed?



In the winter I run 10W30.

 

[G]

Change to 5w 30.

 

[SleepinGVR4]

Its not the oil.

 

[G]

Ok.

 

[EMX5636]

You mean the starter doesn't even start to turn for up to 5 seconds after turning the key? If so, could be either the starter relay, or the ignition switch on it's way out. We have a couple horn relays on trucks at work that seem to shrink the contacts (almost like a bi-metallic spring) in the cold and either turn the horn on, or not have it work until the engine bay/fuse box heats up.

 

[insane92]

Sounds like a ground issue.

 

[donkeylips]

My Galant GSX behaves similarly. But rather than holding it for 5 seconds, it's sort of random if it wants to crank. 70% of the time it doesn't. Eventually it does. I've tried manually turning the engine to a different position to try to give it an easier time. Can't remember if that helped - I always figured it was a grounding issue. One of the first things I'll have to fix in the spring.