Rep Power: 0

I have an '01 Si Coupe (Canadian model). It's extremely cold right now -40ish (-50ish with the wind).

Car won't start - battery looks fine, when I turn it over, dashboard lights come on, but the engine doesn't turn over - it just makes a rapid clicking sound. It normally starts fine in the cold, but it's usually at least 20 degrees warmer than this.

I had to leave it unplugged one night, but then plugged it in the next day, it has been plugged in for over a day (I've checked the outlet I'm plugged into - it works).

Any ideas - is it possible that my block heater isn't working, can the imobilizer freeze up? Should I get it towed to the dealer and get it checked out?

thanks.

 
Rep Power: 303

Battery is too cold. The battery in the civic is small, as it is. Batteries do not like cold. In THAT weather, I'd think about an optima battery. They are designed to endure a lot of extremes.
Extreme cold is hard on anything. Just try starting a diesel in that cold.

 
Rep Power: 304

same temperature lately here.......at night i have it in the garage but it sits outside all day while i am in work for 8 hours. it was plugged in and it started fine.....only did that whinning sound for a second....may be the block heater on yours

 
Rep Power: 0

Very easy to check if block heater is working -- it will start making clicking or humming sounds once you plug it in, you can't miss it. Have someone plug or unplug the heater and see if the sound starts or stops.

Engine not turning over can be several things: frozen battery like Tinman said, or frozen gasline. Do you put in gasline anti-freeze with every other fill-up or so (highly recommended in your type of weather)? If not, that could be it.

I used to live in Ottawa Canada, so I know all about cold weather issues.

 
Rep Power: 608

put a battery charger on the battery or jump it.......i've had to do that a few times with our heavy equipment.

 
Rep Power: 812

My car really struggles to start up. I'm thinking it's the battery as well.

 
Rep Power: 0

i had the same problem...
i think was b/c i dindt' have much gas in the tank.. gas might have been frozen

 
Rep Power: 0

Try warming your key if it is frozen. I found since I left my keys in the car, the chip in the key would malfunction and the immobilizer would not let the car start.