Poor cold start

[GeeDawg]

Now that my car is finally back on the road i have a query in regards to cold start.

As i have not had the car that long this will be my first winter but i am having some slight problems on start up when cold like this morning i.e ice on windscreen.

Car in question is a 97 VTS it starts fine during the day with little effort but finding it is more reluctant on cold mornings as it takes a few good cranks to get going and once it does it runs very lumpy for a couple of minutes then it is fine.

I understand the car is old so is never going to start like a newer one but im just concerned that when the temp really drops it might not start as the battery seems to drain really fast when i have left it standing for a while then have tried to start it.

Any advice would be appreciated

[Quick]

Good service - including checking your anti-freeze!

Breakdown cover could be a good investment!!

[Ross]

do you know how old the battery is? It may be worth checking/replacing. Now's a good time to check all your earths too (gearbox and block)to make sure they're in good condition. If you have access to a multimeter, check your alternator output when the engine is running - a nice healthy 14v or so is ideal. If you're only seeing 12v or so for example, it may be worth thinking about replacing your alternator. The cold starts really drain a battery and you need a tip-top alternator to bring that charge back into it :)

Winters are really hard on all cars electrics, and you want to make everything as easy as possible for it - make sure that all electrics have good grounds and good feeds, and that the charging circuit is in good nick, and what you're charging is sound, and it should see you proud :)

[GeeDawg]

Good service - including checking your anti-freeze!

Breakdown cover could be a good investment!!

Sorry should have said i did the following in the last month.

* Service, plugs, air /fuel filter, oil

Coolant is at normal level however im unsure of concentration ) however last owener said it was done not long before i got it which was Feb/March if i remember rightly.

Breakdown cover sorted as get free through employer :)

do you know how old the battery is? It may be worth checking/replacing. Now's a good time to check all your earths too (gearbox and block)to make sure they're in good condition. If you have access to a multimeter, check your alternator output when the engine is running - a nice healthy 14v or so is ideal. If you're only seeing 12v or so for example, it may be worth thinking about replacing your alternator. The cold starts really drain a battery and you need a tip-top alternator to bring that charge back into it :)

Winters are really hard on all cars electrics, and you want to make everything as easy as possible for it - make sure that all electrics have good grounds and good feeds, and that the charging circuit is in good nick, and what you're charging is sound, and it should see you proud :)

Unsure on age of battery but a while back i had a loose connection on battery which i did not realise lol and breakdown guy came out and said battery was fine but tested nothing else so as you say now would be a good time to check the alternator but dont have a multimeter so will have to get one.

This might sound like a stupid question but how do you test the alternator voltage and also how many earths are there as its a bit dirty so hard to see what im looking for.

Thanks