Honda Car Forum

Last few days (as the temps here in Boston have dropped to single
digits) my Accord 2000 has been taking a good 1-2 seconds to start.
Fuel tank has been near full all three days and last evening it was
well topped off. But it took its own sweet time starting this
morning. Not a problem right now, but it has me worried. All the more
because, it is parked in a covered parking lot overnight. Last winter
it never displayed any signs like these.

Any pointers will be appreciated.

How many miles on the car and the tune-up?

Bryan Canter wrote:
>
> Last few days (as the temps here in Boston have dropped to single
> digits) my Accord 2000 has been taking a good 1-2 seconds to start.
> Fuel tank has been near full all three days and last evening it was
> well topped off. But it took its own sweet time starting this
> morning. Not a problem right now, but it has me worried. All the more
> because, it is parked in a covered parking lot overnight. Last winter
> it never displayed any signs like these.
>
> Any pointers will be appreciated.

That's perfectly normal when it gets really cold. I live in Nova Scotia and
this morning it was
-22 C (-7 F) and my 2003 Accord cranked fairly slow and took about 3-4
seconds to start. As long as it starts, you're laughing. When it's cold
the oil gets thick and it's harder for the starter to turn the engine. A
cold battery doesn't help either. Like I said, as long as it starts, don't
worry about it. Besides, what do you care about 1-2 seconds? The thing
won't fire up the instant you turn the key. Most cars take 1-2 seconds to
start in the middle of summer. If your car started in 1-2 seconds in the
temperatures you mentioned, that's damn good.

"Bryan Canter" <bcnewsgroups@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:614be1fb.0401081030.4ded7e11@posting.google.c om...
> Last few days (as the temps here in Boston have dropped to single
> digits) my Accord 2000 has been taking a good 1-2 seconds to start.
> Fuel tank has been near full all three days and last evening it was
> well topped off. But it took its own sweet time starting this
> morning. Not a problem right now, but it has me worried. All the more
> because, it is parked in a covered parking lot overnight. Last winter
> it never displayed any signs like these.
>
> Any pointers will be appreciated.

Bryan Canter wrote:
>
> Last few days (as the temps here in Boston have dropped to single
> digits) my Accord 2000 has been taking a good 1-2 seconds to start.
> Fuel tank has been near full all three days and last evening it was
> well topped off. But it took its own sweet time starting this
> morning. Not a problem right now, but it has me worried. All the more
> because, it is parked in a covered parking lot overnight. Last winter
> it never displayed any signs like these.
>
> Any pointers will be appreciated.

============

Bryan,

There are some helpful hints in your Owner's Manual in the section about
'starting in cold weather'.

'Curly'

==============

"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message news:<3FFDE172.2A5FE2EA@neo.rr.com>...
> How many miles on the car and the tune-up?

About 39,000 in 3.5 years. 37,500 service is scheduled for this
Wednesday (14th). I am going to bring it up with them but just
thought to ask here first, since this group is pretty informed.

Last oil change was about 34,000 miles between the 30,000 and 37,500
service. All the services/oil changes so far have been done by Honda
dealerships on time.

"Sean Donaher" <nospam@nospam.ca> wrote in message news:<AQlLb.54733$IF6.1263959@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>...
> That's perfectly normal when it gets really cold. I live in Nova Scotia and

It did not happen last year (that was the only real winter this car
has seen) but the temps were not as low AFAICR.

> won't fire up the instant you turn the key. Most cars take 1-2 seconds to
> start in the middle of summer. If your car started in 1-2 seconds in the

Well, during summer it starts the moment I turn the key. But I agree
that I should not worry as long as it starts. However, I am worrying
about the odd chance that it does not start and if there is any thing
I can do to avoid that situation. I try to remember to press the gas
pedal to floor before attempting to start every morning. And I try to
keep the fuel tank more than half full to keep the fuel line from
freezing. Are there any other things I should keep in mind?

Hopefully the temps will improve in the next few days and it will not
get any worse.

Bryan Canter wrote:
>
> "Sean Donaher" <nospam@nospam.ca> wrote in message news:<AQlLb.54733$IF6.1263959@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>...
> > That's perfectly normal when it gets really cold. I live in Nova Scotia and
>
> It did not happen last year (that was the only real winter this car
> has seen) but the temps were not as low AFAICR.
>
> > won't fire up the instant you turn the key. Most cars take 1-2 seconds to
> > start in the middle of summer. If your car started in 1-2 seconds in the
>
> Well, during summer it starts the moment I turn the key. But I agree
> that I should not worry as long as it starts. However, I am worrying
> about the odd chance that it does not start and if there is any thing
> I can do to avoid that situation. I try to remember to press the gas
> pedal to floor before attempting to start every morning. And I try to
> keep the fuel tank more than half full to keep the fuel line from
> freezing. Are there any other things I should keep in mind?
>
> Hopefully the temps will improve in the next few days and it will not
> get any worse.
==================

Bryan,

Inless your manual is completely different from the CRV and Odyssey
manuals, it doesn't say to 'press the pedal to the floor'!

It says: For Cold weather / high altitude starting: Turn off all
electrical accessories (to reduce battery drain) HOLD the gas pedal
half-way to the floor, turn the key to START position for up to 15
seconds (no longer).

When the engine is not running, pushing the pedal to the floor and back
does NOTHING (except maybe free up a stuck throttle plate, but that's a
different thread). Your car is fuel injected. There's no mechanical
choke that needs to be 'loaded', and no accelerator pump to piss fuel
into the venturi.

We should really start calling it the air pedal, not gas pedal. Your
manual is telling you to hold the pedal half way to the floor because
the engine needs a little extra help getting air when it can't crank at
full speed, and because that position sets the computer to the optimum
fuel and ignition timing for cold starts.

I don't think it's really suggested in the manual, but in winter I
always perform the 'lamp check' to give the puel pump time to charge up
the system, before I start to crank it.

I hope this will clear up some confusion for some who don't understand
cold weather starting. I had some preconcieved notions about Fuel
Injection before I read my manual(s).

'Curly' On the chilly Canadian Prairies.

bcnewsgroups@yahoo.com (Bryan Canter) wrote in
news:614be1fb.0401090553.177834b8@posting.google.c om:


>
> Well, during summer it starts the moment I turn the key. But I agree
> that I should not worry as long as it starts. However, I am worrying
> about the odd chance that it does not start and if there is any thing
> I can do to avoid that situation. I try to remember to press the gas
> pedal to floor before attempting to start every morning. And I try to
> keep the fuel tank more than half full to keep the fuel line from
> freezing. Are there any other things I should keep in mind?
>
> Hopefully the temps will improve in the next few days and it will not
> get any worse.

Each car has its own starting pattern. My Accord needs the starter engaged
for approx. .5 seconds to start, so as soon as I turn the key I let go of
it. My Nissan needs a good 2 seconds or so to start.

As your car ages you may experience slightly longer start times, I doubt
there's anything to be done about it. You are not supposed to floor the
throttle normally. RTFM (read the fine manual) !

Was the non-starting as turning over but not starting?
Also, have the battery & alternator checked. I have a '99 V6 Accord and
displayed the problems you state. One new battery later, it starts quicker
than I can ever remember.

Did it seem like a lack of gas?
If like a like of gas...when really cold, turn the key to "ON" for a few
seconds then try to start it. It should start easier.

Keith





"Bryan Canter" <bcnewsgroups@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:614be1fb.0401090546.37665e59@posting.google.c om...
> "N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:<3FFDE172.2A5FE2EA@neo.rr.com>...
> > How many miles on the car and the tune-up?
>
> About 39,000 in 3.5 years. 37,500 service is scheduled for this
> Wednesday (14th). I am going to bring it up with them but just
> thought to ask here first, since this group is pretty informed.
>
> Last oil change was about 34,000 miles between the 30,000 and 37,500
> service. All the services/oil changes so far have been done by Honda
> dealerships on time.

"Ed" <do.not@spam.me> wrote in message
news:Xns946B83E6B3ACFMyMessagesRock@151.164.30.48. ..
> bcnewsgroups@yahoo.com (Bryan Canter) wrote in
> news:614be1fb.0401090553.177834b8@posting.google.c om:
> my `92 accord takes about 3-5 seconds to start up here in southern Ontario
in this cold weather we`re having now ? 5*F below zero)
235,000klms(145,700 miles)5w30 Mobil 1 oil

Last "tuneup" March `03.

Second battery... .I place a 150- watt light bulb in close proximity to the
battery to just give it a little edge in these cold mornings ? A fully
charged brand-new battery will lose HALF its power at 0*F.

So if your battery has some age on it it may lose a little more? therefore
accounting for the slower start-up time .
> Dont forget even with synthetic oil it does have a tendency to thicken a
little, but not as much as dino oil will, given the same viscosity..
> > ed/ontario
> > Well, during summer it starts the moment I turn the key. But I agree
> > that I should not worry as long as it starts. However, I am worrying
> > about the odd chance that it does not start and if there is any thing
> > I can do to avoid that situation. I try to remember to press the gas
> > pedal to floor before attempting to start every morning. And I try to
> > keep the fuel tank more than half full to keep the fuel line from
> > freezing. Are there any other things I should keep in mind?
> >
> > Hopefully the temps will improve in the next few days and it will not
> > get any worse.
>
> Each car has its own starting pattern. My Accord needs the starter engaged
> for approx. .5 seconds to start, so as soon as I turn the key I let go of
> it. My Nissan needs a good 2 seconds or so to start.
>
> As your car ages you may experience slightly longer start times, I doubt
> there's anything to be done about it. You are not supposed to floor the
> throttle normally. RTFM (read the fine manual) !