2006 electrical problem

[dlc101010]

Bought in 2007 with 13,000m, has 28,000 now. When first got it, July, started having electrical problems, not starting, dead battery. Dealer worked on it 4 times replace alternator and battery twice each, no charge. Weather cooled and no longer used air then came warm weather 2008 turned air on but no cold, needed charging.

Left air alone for 2008 and drove with windows down. Had air charged 2 months ago. 2 yr. old battery dead 2 1/2 weeks ago checked by local shop right on the edge of good/bad. Had local shop put in new interstate battery. 3 days ago battery dead/flat. Took it back to local shop, recharge, runs good. Mechanic says could be short only when running, hard to find.

Called dealer asked if still on warranty, said yes bring it in good for 3 yrs./36,000. Got there , told story service guy said $110 to diagnose then if parts are covered would fix, if not pay. Called local shop, have known for 40years, he said check the forums so here I am. Trust local shop more than dealer.

I suspect short related to air. I have good mechanical history with older cars without computers and am open to any suggestions or ideas.

[CREWZIN]

Welcome to the forum. Even with your older car without a computer, it's extremely hard and time consuming to find your electrical problem especially if it's intermittent. Somebody that's really good with electrics should be able to trace down the cause of your drained battery.

You can start by pulling any fuses to any accessories that you have and don't need to drive the car (fog lights, stereo, rear wiper etc.). Also, are they checking your charging system when they put the new alternator and battery in. Their "new" might be "rebuilt" and not working/charging properly.

Do you have a multi-meter that you can hook up to the battery when you park so you can keep checking it for a drain?

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
Also sounds like you don't drive it much. Could be a drain when you're not running, too.
Agree w/Crewzin - have charging system checked.

[Hooligan]

Isn't there a fuse they can pull and leave it set to see if the PT drains the battery, something that is pulled from the factory and replaced at the dealer?? Of course they will have to leave it sit, but if it isn't driven much anyway...?????

[dlc101010]

Thank you for the responses, sorry to be slow getting back. We have been driving and not using the air and have not had any problems. I talked to the local garage mechanic and he did a check on the charging system under stress with the old battery and the new one when he recharged it. The alternator is putting out 80 amps and his book says it should be putting out 100 amps.

Is the requirement for amps when the air is on that critical that 20amps low would drain a new battery? If not there is the possibility that leaving the air on and just turning off the key may be the problem. Would something in the air conditioning system put a drain on the battery with the key off but the air switch on?

If there is a specific problem that relates to the A/C system wiring that any one is familiar with that would be my suspicion. Hooligan, read some where on here about the fuse they pull out when shipping that turns off a bunch of peripherals. Will look for it and see if it is ok or makes a difference.

Thanks