So im having some very strange problems when I try to start my car.

Recently, when I go to start my car, the starter would click, as if there wasnt enough battery. I would wait maybe 5 seconds and all of a sudden it would start cranking and start.

Now that its getting terribly cold outside, when I go to start my car, if I turn the key all the way foward all my power is drained, my lights dim severley and the starter wont even attempt to engage. If I just keep trying over and over *eventually 5-10 minutes later* then it will all of a sudden, the stater will start engaging and it will start.

Also, my tachometer goes ALL the way to its ends if the car wont start, and if I just leave the key foward, then the tach will jump back, hesitate, jump foward, hesitate, jump back, hesitate, then jump foward, doing that over and over.

The first day that this started happening, when I was driving, my stereo would shut off, my voltage gauge would drop ALL the way to 0.

My voltage gauge while driving is actually higher than normal, 3/4ths of its way through the meter.

Ive had electronic gremlins already, and ive posted my problems in the electronics part of the forum, it was stated that its my alternator that is at fault. I havent had the chance to replace my alternator yet but would a failing alternator cause these issues?

 

Check your grounds yet? Also may be a weak starter. I am having the same problem just havent had time to get around to it. I would hit the push button starter and the starter would just click, may do it several times or may just kick over. Was using a 650 cca battery, put in a 800 cca battery and it stopped for awhile, til it got cold. Give ya something to start with. On a side note the starter is less than a year old.

 

Did you get your starter from autozone? My starter is less than a year old also.

 

I had the same problem last year. (except for radio problem)
Replaced the starter with an auto zone one and the clicking was still there. After theat i found a loose engine ground, tightened it and it STILL did it. This winter I am going to check all the power wires for shorts going to the starter. Maybe you should do the same

 

i had the same problem with my trans am and it turned out to be a really really stupid little thing. my ground wire to the batter was snug but wasnt real tight. make sure your battery termanals are real tight. that was my problem. i had the exact same problems as you guys. my car would not turn over at all then it would crank fine. the battery guage would jump all around too.

 

Maybe your battery isnt rated for such low temp as it is outside. Or your battery might just be getting old.

 

Just throw a bigger battery in it thats what i did.