TheSamba.com :: View topic - How difficult should 40-60 degree temp make starting a 79 ?

Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:20 am

I got this car(79 SB vert) this summer and last had a VW in cold weather back in the late 70's and I don't recall it taking 5 or 6 turns of the ignition to get the car started back then in the cold....."Southern Ca. cold" that is. Is that the norm or is there something I can do besides using a :roll: blowdrier on the engine? In wam temps it starts right up as well as when the engine is warm.
Cripes, I can't imagine what it would be like in the low 20's or colder!

Thanks.
fredex

Wed Dec 01, 2004 4:36 am

That should have nothing to do with it. If you are already in good tune and if you are FI run through the diagnostics in your Bentley for checking the cold start vave/thermotime switch.

That bad boy should fire fight up.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:27 am

Check the battery and the ignition components. Maybe you're not getting enough voltage to fire it up in the cold.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:41 am

does it sound any different while turning over (as in, BEFORE it starts) in "cold" weather as opposed to "warm"??

Wed Dec 01, 2004 10:45 am

Thank you for your replies!
79Vert, I know the battery is good but as far as the ignition components I'll have to read up on that as well as Randy in maine's suggestions
Fukengruven,the Car sounds the same...maybe.. it is only in my head, it seems a little weaker. The battery is 2 mo. old and when warm the car starts like a horse chomping at the bit. Damn, I like this car!

Thanks again

Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:09 am

Maybe your oil's grade is too heavy for the cold weather. Some here say it shouldn't be more than 10W-whatever. I leave 20W in mine year-round but on a cold day the oil is like molasses to start.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 11:18 am

I'm with "Randy in Maine" I would look to the cold start system.

On my '78 the cold start injector was plugged and the electrical connection to the thermotime switch was bad inside of the connector. I used to have to crank and crank to get it started in the cold weather. I replaced the plugged injector, fix the wiring and it starts on the first turn of the key now.