I have a 2006 tiburon with 50,000 kilometers. Three weeks ago in a minus thirty cold snap the starter would not engage. I had good electical every where else.
After trying probably a hundred times the starter engaged and I didnt have to use the car again till it warmed up. When it warmed up no issues. Now three weeks later and it is back to minus 30 and last night again same thing. After probably fifty times the starter engaged and away it went.
I am wondering what this could be? Is it the starters solinoid or is there a electrical relay possiably not working to tell the starter to engage etc.
need some second opinions please

 

was there an audible click when you turned the key? could be a faulty starter solenoid.

 

No there is no clicking or sounds at all when you turn the key to the start position.

 

At -30 C, you may have some moisture getting into the starter mechanism that is freezing causing the starter to lock up. Try wrapping it with a rubber mallet, or hitting it with a hair dryer. I once had to drive through a flooded area in January to get home. The truck sat for a day or two and wouldn't start. Turned out to be ice in the starter motor.

 

bernd, if there is no click of the solenoid then the problem lies either there or somewhere in the electrical. tapping the motor with a hammer won't help here.

first step is check electrical, when its not starting. some shops will also test a battery for free, well worthwhile since a battery connection could be an issue. if all the electrical checks out replace the solenoid. its probably getting moisture in it freezing.

 

Well, I may have been half right!

 

lol very true. can't learn without making mistakes though, god knows i don't know everything. dont really want to either - life wouldn't be as fun

 

I agree with the freezing issue. Sounds like either there was a loose connection that when the air was less dense it couldnt jump the gap or the starter froze up.. that's pretty damn cold and i wouldnt even wana start my car in that much cold lol