Electrical problems in cold weather

WHITEDOVE7955

MEMBER
2004 KIA SPECTRA
FWD
132,000 MILES

When it is cold outside some things do not work until the car warms up. The colder it is the longer it takes. When it is cold the keyless entry, power windows, power door locks, dashboard lights, rear window defroster, intermittent wipers, dome light and tail lights do not work. I replaced the water pump and all belts in March of 2013 and put in a new battery in January of 2014. That else could be the problem?

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Sounds like a bad connection that becomes good with heat created by resistance or a relay that is sticking. Start by checking for power in the under hood fuse block when things aren't working, that way we can see where to go next.

Read the guides below on using a test light and relay testing

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

The entire power distribution wiring diagrams are attached below as well as fuse ID's

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