I will try and be brief. The L has been harder and harder to start over the past week. I go to start it tonoght after it has been sitting outside in 40 degree weather for two days and the battery is completely dead. I finally got it jumped and it ran fin so I assume it is not the alternator. My L is a 2001 with 22xxx miles on it. Has anyone else had battery problems. Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

Get the battery checked, but it sounds like it's time to get a new one. Cold weather will really zap a battery and especially if it sits for a long period of times. Get the biggest battery you can fit in the battery mount. Make sure all connections are good and clean and it also wouldn't hurt to get the alternator checked out. It's a simple test and most parts stores will test both the battery and alternator for free. Good luck.

 

While its running put a screwdriver near the rear of the alternator. There should be a magnetic field present placing a force onto the steel if the alternator is working properly.

Becareful I don't want you to screw up your engine

 

It's probably the battery--I'd go to an Auto Zone, etc. for one of their free starting systems check.

But, it could be something else(maybe combined with a faulty battery?), and they are:

1. Fuel not reaching the injectors--check fuel filter, lines, and pumps. How many of that 22,xxx miles are on the current filter?

2. Defective spark plugs--worn out(gap too large) in 22,xxx?

3. Defective eng. coolant temp. sensor.

4. Fuel inj. or eng. control systems malfunction.

Dan