I've used one of these and they're great for lighting the fireplace, butt, if you're wanting to light your charcoal in sub-freezing, windy conditions, forget it.
I've had a couple of em for the last 3-4 yrs.
When the outside temps are moderate they do work fine, but like any butane-spark lighter if you keep them outside in the cold,,, yea they don't worky to well.
Try bringing it up to room temp, and see if that works. I keep one in the garage and one in the house, and when it's cold out, the one from the house is the only one that works..
Well at least for me.