Cold Weather Starting Problem

[Alberta Beef]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and didn't notice any threads regarding cold weather starting. I live in Calgary Canada and we just got a cold snap of weather -42 degrees Celsius or about -45 Fahrenheit. We have a 2003 Sequoia with under 40K miles and installed a block heater. The vehicle was plugged in due to the cold weather, but when we turn the ignition, we get a rapid clicking noise and lights on the dash flash on and of like a strobe. I am hoping this is only due to the extreme cold weather and not a bad starter. I even tried jumping the vehicle as I thought the battery might just be low, but no luck. Any advice other than wait until it warms up? Thanks in advance.

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by Alberta Beef

Hello,
I am new to the forum and didn't notice any threads regarding cold weather starting. I live in Calgary Canada and we just got a cold snap of weather -42 degrees Celsius or about -45 Fahrenheit. We have a 2003 Sequoia with under 40K miles and installed a block heater. The vehicle was plugged in due to the cold weather, but when we turn the ignition, we get a rapid clicking noise and lights on the dash flash on and of like a strobe. I am hoping this is only due to the extreme cold weather and not a bad starter. I even tried jumping the vehicle as I thought the battery might just be low, but no luck. Any advice other than wait until it warms up? Thanks in advance.

Are you kidding...-45F? I know this isn't much help but if the block warmer didn't work, I think you're stuck until Spring (or at least warmer weather), unless you can get the vehicle rolled into a heated environment like a garage. Sounds like the oil is too thick for the starter to turn the crank combined with the battery not putting out enough "really" cold cranking amps to turn the engine over. Instead of a jump start from another cold battery, you might consider running an extension line to a battery charger/starter and see if house current might help.

Good luck and stay warm.

[Alberta Beef]

Yeah, it's pretty cold and looks to stay that way for a couple of days. It isn't normally this cold for more than a couple days. I think you are right; I called the dealership and they said it is the battery. Thank goodness; I was so frustrated I even considered trading it in for an FJ cruiser.

[nem]

-45! It's 5 F here in the cloudy Okanagan today. I bet Cambodia Tire has already sold out of battery warming blankets in your area, I think they're about $20 and you can plug it in with your block heater, I am sure that would do the trick.

[williamZ]

It's -5 here today and he had up to 50mph winds last night. I never heard of a battery warmer but that would definitely help out with those subzero temps.

I would be running Mobil 1 0W40 up there, what are you using for oil?

[sequoiasoon]

Originally Posted by Alberta Beef

Yeah, it's pretty cold and looks to stay that way for a couple of days. It isn't normally this cold for more than a couple days. I think you are right; I called the dealership and they said it is the battery. Thank goodness; I was so frustrated I even considered trading it in for an FJ cruiser.

The coldest it's been since I changed my battery was about -20F. It cranked a little slower but definitely no problem. If changing the battery I highly recommend getting an Optima Yellow top with some extra reserve capacity. I put in a 900CCA Optima D31A which fit with no issues in the Sequoia. See my pics for details.

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

The OEM batteries in Tundras is of poor quality. Mine was oozing white stuff the first year of ownership. I bought an Optima Red Top.

I was in the -40C vicinity here last week as well. Global warming is B.S. Mine was not plugged in, but I have synthetic oil and the the Optima. I find that by turning the key on for a couple seconds before cranking it seems to help. I am guessing this gets a little pressure in front of the injectors, hence getting fuel into the combustion chamber a little quicker. The truck started quickly and relatively easily all week, not plugged in once.