I have a 2000 Ex with 105,000 miles. 10 Cylinder gas engine. Brand new battery. It has been finicky starting the past few weeks. Sometimes when I turn the key, I just hear a click. Other times it starts right up.

Last night I drove it and while inside for about 2 hours. The temperature dropped from about 30 to 20. It would not start at all. I went back for it this morning (temp is about 40) and it started right up 2 times.

So, does cold affect a starter? Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

Mine did that after sitting for a few days in the cold(20's) Hasn't done it since. My guess is the starter bendix is sticking/freezing up. Might be time to take the starter out and lube it or put in a rebuild. New battery on my truck btw.

 

Personally I've only had my X (7.3 mind you) down to the high 30's and low 40's, but we did spend two weeks in Colorado last year when it was down to 8*. Even then, it still cranked up - albeit begrudgingly.

The only time I've ever heard a 'click' referenced with an intermittent starter issue is when it's a bad ground. What happens when you try whacking the starter while someone cranks it when it acts up? If it fires right up, that's usually a sign of a bad starter. The cost to rebuild is typically about $10-20 less than buying a new one these days, at least that's what my poking around revealed when I replaced my starter last month. Ditched the 3-bolt and moved to the 2-bolt starter, WORLD of difference.

 

Exactly what Matt said. I would start with the grounds as that needs to be addressed anyway and it's free then move on to the starter.

 

Try smacking it with a hammer when it is giving you trouble. If that makes it work, I would just buy a new one and be done with it.