Trouble starting in the cold and wet

Hi,

Don't know if anyone can help but I'm having issues with starting my MK2 8v. When I turn the ignition on the starter seems to really struggle and does not always turn, then the alarm will go off because I assume the battery voltage is dropping right off, as soon as i release the key the alarm stops. I've put a multi meter across the terminals of the battery and it's at about 12.2V with nothing on, and I'm getting a bit confused. It seems to just do it in the cold/wet weather. All the electrical connections seem good and the battery looks fairly new. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Stuart

Clean the cables where they fit to the starter motor and the earth strap on the body and the gearbox.

Be carefull taking them off the starter motor (disconect battery first) as ive had them shear the bolt before now as it had all rusted up horrible and was causing grief.

Clean all the contacts up and check that when the motors running your getting about 14.4 -14.6v across the terminals, If not then your alternators seen better days.
With the cold snap that we have had recently it will give any duff or slightly duff batteries a hard time or kill them, check the battery levels too.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

I'll give it a punt.