Battery Failure

[ptbcblues]

I have owned my car for almost 3 years. I loved it at first but I believe it's one of those proverbial lemons. Along with the A/C foul odor problem, not great gas mileage and various other problems I am now on the 4th battery. The car fries batteries and they've yet to determine what the problem is. All I ever hear is that it is shorting out the battery. If anyone has a similar problem I'd love to hear from you and what if anything can be done to fix it.
Thanks.

[quicksilverdon]

1) Find another place to look at the problem.
2) If you're paying for the batteries, get one (like a diehard) that has a warranty.

Haven't heard of others eating batteries - you don't have a "killer" sound system you added, do you?[:I]

[ptbcblues]

Fortunately so far the car is still under warranty so I've not had to pay a penny yet... but the warranty is about to run out. The battery has been fried consistantly approx every 10 months. I don't want to have to continually pay for a new battery every 10 months or so.
And no I don't have a boosted sound system. Have the one it came with... which is awesome enough for me.
I think I will take up the advice on getting some other place run some diagnostics however.

Thanks.

[LT Almond GT]

Check to see if you have a "Lemon Law" and then use it!

[IRPT]

ptbcblues, you're not alone. Check out the links below, some good information and maybe a solution for your problem.

http://www.ptcruiserclub.org/cgi-loc...0dying;#123711

http://ptenthusiasts.org/PTForums/sh...t=dead+battery

http://ptenthusiasts.org/PTForums/sh...t=dead+battery

http://ptenthusiasts.org/PTForums/sh...t=dead+battery

[Hooligan]

ptbcblues:
I had a '02 T&C Van that I was driving when it went dead, luckly I was almost at the dealers.[xx(] They installed a new battery, the tech said, "We have had to replace quite a few of these, the manufacturer had a bad batch." Since then we haven't had a bit of trouble. We have been very pleased with the service we have gotten from them. It also is a 5 star!!! I read some of the suggested links, they have some good ideas there.[^]

[RD CHILI]

This could be related to your problem, have your dealer check for this....

Recieved Customer Satisfaction Notice / Recall From DC #C30:

2003 & 2004 PT Cruisers and varoius other DC models.

The problem is....
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) electrical connector seals on your vehicle may be out of place. This could allow water to enter the PCM. Water and resulting corrosion inside of the connector can cause various electrical and drivability concerns.

What DC and your dealer will do....
DC will repair your vehicle free of charge (parts and labor). To do this, your dealer will inspect the PCM electrical connector seals and repair any that are found to be out of place. If a connector is corroded, the PCM and affected wire harness will be replaced.

[ptbcblues]

Thanks for the excellent responses and the most excellent sites IRPT. Sounds like I'm definitely not alone out here. Unfortunately Canada does not have Lemon Laws, but I'm trying to see if we have anything close. There are Warranty Enforcement laws so maybe there is something there. The thing is I don't have a fight with the dealership, they've been super guys so far. It's just that I want to get to the root of the problem. What is shorting it out?

I've read some cases where people have battery drain problems and then the battery goes dead. My car doesn't sit long enough for a drain to happen. The longest my poor baby gets to rest is maybe 24 hours. (single mom with 2 daughters)...