power loss in subzero temp??

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volvosneverdie
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power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 07:17 pm

Cars been starting and running fine, no matter what the temp, but:
Was out on a Supermarket run on new years day, from cold, running with a touch of choke, about 5 mins on the road. light snow but id cleared everything from the car before setting off.
Slowed down for a queue of traffic and ALL the dash warning lights came on, and lost power rolled to a stop at the side of the road.
Turned the ignition off, short prayer. Turned it over.
Started up 1st turn but the battery warning light stayed on after start up (the rest went out, bar choke and demist, both of which were on).
I turned off the lights, cabin heater, radio and rear demiser (was running the lights, radio, cabin heat, rear demist, front wiper, rear wipers on when it cut out).

Set off again, the battery warning light went out and the rest of the journey was fine.
No more warning lights.

Any ideas anyone?
It hasnt happened again, so its not a serious problem.

Was i just pulling too much juice from the battery?
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Ronnie
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by Ronnie » 03 Jan 2010 07:21 pm

If the battery light stays on on start up - give it a good rev, and it should click off.

Batteries hold a lot less juice when it's very cold. Don't know what caused you to stall - I doubt it if it was lack of power to the ignition circuit - maybe something unrelated.
Last edited by Ronnie on 03 Jan 2010 07:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by Speedy88 » 03 Jan 2010 07:21 pm

Electrics notoriously hate the cold. It might have just been a short-out but I'd check all your battery and alternator connections.
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 07:36 pm

Speedy88 wrote:Electrics notoriously hate the cold. It might have just been a short-out but I'd check all your battery and alternator connections.
Cheers man.
I had a look at everything visable when we got back and there didnt seem to be anything loose.
Hopefully it was just a winter-protest then. :wink:
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by Speedy88 » 03 Jan 2010 07:48 pm

I mean when it first snowed I got loads of water in the engine bay, despite the under-protection. It's probably just a protest. It could, however, be something entirely catastrophic :lol:
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 07:51 pm

Speedy88 wrote: It's probably just a protest. It could, however, be something entirely catastrophic :lol:
Hmm. youre right.
I probably need new and cooler wheels. :D
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by mat 91 » 03 Jan 2010 08:36 pm

i bet you asked it to re start if so thats why it did
or it seen another younger volvo and liked it lmao
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 08:38 pm

mat 91 wrote:i bet you asked it to re start if so thats why it did
or it seen another younger volvo and liked it lmao
Course I asked it to restart! it was subzero and snowing. And I was out of booze.
I also stroked the dash and promised it an oilchange. :wink:
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by Chris_C » 03 Jan 2010 09:11 pm

volvosneverdie wrote:Course I asked it to restart! it was subzero and snowing. And I was out of booze.
I also stroked the dash and promised it an oilchange. :wink:
I have used this tactic.. I'm pretty certain it makes a difference!
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 09:20 pm

Chris_C wrote:
volvosneverdie wrote:Course I asked it to restart! it was subzero and snowing. And I was out of booze.
I also stroked the dash and promised it an oilchange. :wink:
I have used this tactic.. I'm pretty certain it makes a difference!
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by SteveP » 03 Jan 2010 09:42 pm

I'd consider checking the main earthing cabling to the body of the car for any corrosion etc
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by volvosneverdie » 03 Jan 2010 09:44 pm

SteveP wrote:I'd consider checking the main earthing cabling to the body of the car for any corrosion etc
puuuuuuuh.
Ok wheres the main earthing cable normally?
The thick ribbony job?
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by jtbo » 03 Jan 2010 10:06 pm

Well, do you have petrol antifreeze over there?

In near 0C temps when air is damp, it tends to freeze the carb, my carb have frozen solid quite some times, that is why there is intake air pre heater tube running from exhaust to air pickup, but when temperature goes up and down, it creates lot of moisture into petrol tank, which then causes trouble and also helps to freeze the carb.

Petrol antifreezer makes that water to stay liquid and also makes it disappear from petrol tank.

It is not any magic stuff, petrol antifreezer is more or less ethanol. Don't know if your petrol from pump already has it, but adding some more will not hurt too much, just don't put 5 liters to empty tank or anything as silly, melts o-rings and fuel lines.
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Re: power loss in subzero temp??

Post by macplaxton » 04 Jan 2010 12:45 am

I've had nae bother with mine in the sub-zero conditions here.

I suspect it's some dodgy connection in the electrics somewhere (and being an intermittent fault a PITA to locate).
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