My car had trouble running after cold weather. What could be the problem?
I drive a 2000 Ford Explorer. Before going to work this morning, it took me about 2-3 tries to get the car started. When it started, the car started shaking and the car would rev on it's own a few times over a couple minutes. I tried to reverse the vehicle out of the driveway, but midway through it just stopped. I grabbed jumper cables, but when I tried starting the vehicle back up after a few minutes, it worked fine. My vehicle made it to work, which is about 15 miles away from home. My concern is going back to the area I live. Does anyone know what happened? Thank you.
Added (1). I would also like to add it rained the day prior.
The battery could be the only problem. I was so surprised this year when i replaced my own battery at what it being the battery can do to a vehicle. The battery will not carry enough cold crank amps to start correctly then you need battery power for different things once started which can result in a sensor malfunctioning and there go the truck turns off to reset the sensors
"My car had trouble running after cold weather. What could be the problem?"
"I drive a 2000 Ford Explorer."
OK, so it is a 15 year old vehicle. Compression is probably low.
"Before going to work this morning, it took me about 2-3 tries to get the car started."
Did it crank OK? If so, it is not (yet) the battery.
"When it started, the car started shaking and the car would rev on it's own a few times over a couple minutes."
Sounds like it it is time to check the choke function, and the spark plugs and cables.
"I tried to reverse the vehicle out of the driveway, but midway through it just stopped. I grabbed jumper cables, but when I tried starting the vehicle back up after a few minutes, it worked fine."
I suspect then that the oil that did manage to get pumped sealed the rings on the cylinders, and allowed it to start.
"My vehicle made it to work, which is about 15 miles away from home. My concern is going back to the area I live. Does anyone know what happened? Thank you."
I'd suggest you get it to a mechanic, and have them check the compression in each cylinder. Pay them for a tuneup and spark plug changeout.
"I would also like to add it rained the day prior."
This "effectively" tends to lower the octane of your gasoline, at least in the cylinder as it is trying to ignite. A little harder to start, is all.
I have to assume your car has been in the rain before and you haven't had this problem, so I don't think the rain had anything to do with it. You said you grabbed the jumper cables like the battery might need to be jumped. Your the only one that can say why you though you needed the jumpers but the problem sounds to me more like the fuel system had lost it's prime. Your trying 2-3 times might have run the pump enough to get it started and the RPM jumping around would be a sign of a fuel problem. I would recommend you purchase a inexpensive fuel pressure tester hook it up while the car is running and then shut it off and see if in the morning the pressure is still there before you try to start it.
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