Engine Will Not Turn Over When Turning The Key.

[850&S80]

Hi

I have a 96 base 850 with 153,000 miles.

For a couple of winters now the car will not intially start in cold weather. It is like the battery is dead but it is really not.

If I hold the key in the start positon the headlights turn off and nothing happens. If I hold the key in the start position for several seconds, several times, the car eventually starts.

To be it seems that something must be heating up while holding the key in the start position. Once the connection is heated up the car starts. Does this make sense?

It is happening already and the weather is not that cold. It also appears to be happening more frequently. Also the less I use the car the more frequent the issue.

One of these days I am going to get stranded !!

The terminals are clean, I have done some of the other tips I found in other posting about battery connection problems.

Dealer during last state inspection that the positive battery cable had a low reading and recommended replacing the positive battery cable. I never told them about this issue as I would have to leave the car overnight, and it would have to be really cold, it is most likely would start right away for them.

Does anyone else experience with this issue? Could the positive battery cable be the issue.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Mike_P]

Why not just replace the cable? Can't cost more than $15-$20 if you DIY and should help. I'm sure someone else will have more specific suggestions, but the positive cable sounds like an obvious (and cheap fix).

[jediboytj]

same exact issue. had a bad battery ground, reattached the ground, and alls been well for the last year. Its more than likely your battery cable(s)

It got so bad in my car, that the car would shut itself off and turn back on as im driving (engine still ran) at random times.