Starter not engaging in very cold weather

[mikeyandmary]

Hi everyone,

I am having a recurring issue where the challenger won't start on really cold mornings (below 3 degrees). The starter spins but it isn't engaging with the flywheel to turn over the motor.

It only happens if the engine and outside weather are cold. Once it starts it will happily start each time even after sitting at work all day.

I replaced the battery a few months ago as the starter was getting really slow to turn the engine over.

[erad]

Sounds like the starter motor needs to be removed and cleaned out. It is probably the solenoid or the bendix lever cagged up with mud/crud which is preventing the pinion from reaching the flywheel.