Expert: Stephen Sokol - 3/31/2007

Question
74 Alfa GTV 2000

This winter I'm having a major problem starting my car in the morning. I have a "cold start button" which was added on before I purchased it which used to be a big help. The engine will turn over but won't catch. I roll it down the hill and start it off the clutch.  
Mechanic has has tried the following but it does not seem to help:
-removed cold start wires and introduced relay to cold start
-replaced points
-replaced air filter
-serviced distributer
-adjusted actuator

Thank you for your response.

Answer
If the cold start device is not energized with ignition on then there could be a fault in the ignition switch. But, first:

The battery may be so weak that all the current is used up by the starter motor, also, fouled plugs will inhibit cold start. These two should be checked first.  Then we go on step by step. I am presuming that in the summer it started fine and did not run too rich and had a smooth idle.