Artic Blast Kills 2005 PT Cruiser

[RozesofSharon]

We have a 2005 PT non turbo. Worked fine on Thursday with the temperature about 10 below zero. Parked it Thursday night about 7pm and Friday morning, after 30 below temps, at 7am it wouldn't start. A very weak crank. We warmed the car, charged it, and it cranked a little better, but no go. We bought a new battery, and it cranked a bit better yet, but still wouldn't go. We warmed the gas lines and it almost went, but still no go. Would appreciate any suggestions on what to try now.

[RozesofSharon]

Update! After reading similar threads and heeding advice from those, we changed the spark plugs and wires. Sounds so very close........ so very very close to starting, but just won't. It is 19 degrees now. What would be a good next step?

[CREWZIN]

Move south.

You need that little extra to get it started so jump it with another good battery (car next to your with engine running). This will give you the extra spark and power to get it to turn over.

[RozesofSharon]

Someone suggested to us to put the pedal to the floor while starting it. Then someone else said, omg no... now you have to change your oil or it will never start again. Could this be the problem we are still having with our Artic Blast killed car?

As soon as my husband gets back with our daughter's car, we will try the boost to start it.

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by RozesofSharon

Someone suggested to us to put the pedal to the floor while starting it.

That was true for old cars with carburetors, not fuel injection like the PT.
Just turn the key.

[PurplePTGirl]

Move here (Southern CA), It has been in the 80's all last week!

[RozesofSharon]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! That is exactly what it took. One more boost from our daughter's car got it going! We were so frustrated we didn't see the forest through the trees.
BIG KISS

Rose

[CREWZIN]

Awww, Geeee. Your welcome. Happy Cruisin!

[RozesofSharon]

So, now we know just to turn the key. Not to put the pedal to the metal... but should we change the oil because we did do it when we didn't know better?
Could have we did some kind of damage?

And... if the weather threatens to get that cold again, what can we do to try to prevent all this?

We don't have access to a garage.

Does Isophyl help?

[CREWZIN]

Forgot what you said about the oil. In that weather you should be running 5W30 or 0w30 so the oil won't be so thick in the morning and it will be easier to turn over.

Don't know what you can do when it gets that cold. Maybe buy a trickle charger if you have an electrical outlet nearby so you can keep the battery at top level.