what could it be?

ihave a 300m chrylser and i've changed the battery in it 3 times in
6months. some say its my alarm system that is draining the battery but
some people say its my alternator. my battery is not even 6 months yet and
my car wont start. when i try to get a "jump off" it still wont crank.
please help what could it be.

 

Since you say it stilll won't crank when jumped, it would seem that it
would have to be:
(1) Bad starter,
(2) A loose connection - the positive jump post connection (on top of
the passenger side of the engine visible when you open the hood) would
be a prime candidate, or
(3) a bad ignition switch.

Regarding (2), above, with the exception of the direct conection between
battery and alternator, *all* electrical power goes thru the positive
jump node. One cable from your battery, one cable to the starter, and a
third cable to everything else. It could be that one or both nuts on
the pos. jump post stud are loose and the terminal for the cable to the
starter is making poor contact - which can be intermittent and wouild
also grow steadily worse from heat (due to high resistance connection).
Item (2) does happen on LH cars - it happened on mine, and I have
correctrly pointed many Lh car owners on Chrysler forums to that as a
cause of a problem similar to yours (though that is not the only
possible cause as pointed out).

If you don't know how to use a multimeter/voltmeter to properly diagnose
such problems, then take it to a competent mechanic who can. It is
clear to me that you haven't found that person yet with the guesswork
that has gone on with this to date. For example, a bad alternator or an
alarm system draining the system would not make a car fail to crank with
a jump!

I get the impression that the problem is fairly constant (not too
intermittent). That being the case, it should not take an honest,
competent mechanic long to find the root cause of the problem and
correct it. For example - a bad alternator could be ruled in or out in
seconds with a voltmeter in the hands of someone minimally competent.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

If it clicks, but won't crank, it is likely the starter solenoid contacts
that are shot.

Bob

 

After the battery is removed from the car, have you checked to see if it is
discharged? If it is not discharged then it has nothing to do with the
battery or charging system.

 

I would blame the tech who didn't catch the real problem after changing the
battery the first time.

 

That's right, if you AIN"T got what it takes to be helpful, just criticize
and put people down.
Blaming the tech does not fix the problem nor does it answer his question.
Might I suggest to you Alex a few new, more appropriate newsgroup for you to
spread your wealth of knowledge upon.
alt.asshole-factory
alt.ima.loser.and.you.can.be.too
alt.ignorant.fucks
lastly for those of you considering not wearing your seatbelt alt.
society.civil-disob

I am sure everyone here will miss your helpful suggestions.

 

thanks for all the replys ive gotten back i will take all advice in
consideration. keep them coming.

 

This, from a helpful deadbeat dad. Your comments are just as bad! Did you
help him with his question?
Nope! So anyway, how's it feel not being able to raise the kids because your
a moron? Good thing you are paying your way though!

 

1. Not a deadbeat, who said I was Nostradamous?
2. If you have kids, it can happen to you. I don't wish it upon you or
anyone especially your kids? But the laws promote your wife dumpin your ass
and taking the kids and then you can pay her while you have the kids....go
figure.
3. I came here with a question for the experts. Tim and only Tim helped me
out and the rest of you showed and continue to demonstrate what you are.
4. My previous life was stolen from me by the corrupt family laws and an
even more corrupt ex wife.....Not because I was or am an asshole but because
she found someone who made more money than me!!!!

I am an asshole because I don't want to wear my seatbelt. Yall
happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Question: ihave a 300m chrylser and i've changed the battery in it 3 times
in
6months. some say its my alarm system that is draining the battery but
some people say its my alternator. my battery is not even 6 months yet and
my car wont start. when i try to get a "jump off" it still wont crank.
please help what could it be.

Answer: I would blame the tech who didn't catch the real problem after
changing the
battery the first time.
--------------
Alex



Yep, I guess I was out of line. That is a real good answer Alex. NAH I
wasn't out of line.

 

I forgot to mention that I am not here on this board to help people fix
their cars, I am here to get help. My expertise is in other areas. Unlike
you Dave....I found this one quite funny after
you said, Did you help him with his question?
Nope! So anyway, how's it feel not being able to raise the kids because
your a moron? Good thing you are paying your way though! I looked at some
of you advice:
Can anyone shed some light on the universal coolant?
Thanks, Ted

Yes, It is called Water. You mix it with Prestone antifreeze! They must have
been out of it at the time.

Yep you are a genius and I am sure the kids you had with your wife are
really yours.

 

One thing's for sure. You won't get it fixed by listening to what people
say. Talk is cheap.

First step is to buy a volt ohm meter. You might want to buy a battery
charger too, unless you have an easy way to get these batteries replaced
free. Whatever's most convenient for you. Then let's talk about it.

 

It might help if you tell us a few things about your situation:

How long did you have the car prior to this episode of changing batteries?

When you first had the problem, why did you change the battery? Were you
told by someone that it was either "dead" or it "wouldn't hold a charge". If
so, can you describe what type of testing resulted in this diagnosis?

When the battery was changed as a result of the first question; was it
replaced with a brand new battery? I will refer to this replacement battery
as the "first" battery.

When the battery was changed the "second" time, did you have the person who
sold you the "first" battery confirm it had failed? What did they tell you
about the battery?

Same questions regarding the "third" battery.

How old is the Chrysler; how many miles does it have on it?

Maybe with a little more information, someone will be able to help you.

Regards,

Ken

 

Maybe, maybe not. But I have mine!

 

my car was used when i bought it a year ago. the first time it happened it
started about 4 days after i bought it. "they" said that the battery was
dead so i bought another battery. then it happend again they said it was
the starter so i bought a new starter. now its happening again. when it
happened the second time i took it auto zone to check my battery and it
was good. my car has about 110,000 miles on it right now bc of traveling
back and forth from MS to NC. but i have a technician come to my house and
he said its probably the battery or the alternator but not for sure till he
get his "tools" to see the problem. so till he comes back with his tools he
will let me know for sure. he works with electrical stuff on cars. i hope
he can give me a definite answer.

 

Sounds like a good plan since all of our crystal balls are in the shop
right now. 8^) (you didn't quite explain the *three* batteries, but
that's OK)

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Do you have another late model car with an embedded chip in they key?
According to my Toyota Avalon owner's manual, those keys can interfere with
each other and need to be kept away from the ignition when the car is
started or the car won't start.

 

So you replaced the battery that was originally in the car when you bought
it with another battery. That "first" battery apparently is good; at least
AutoZone seems to think so.

When you brought the battery to AutoZone, was it dead (requiring a
re-charge)?

When the car refuses to start, do other things electrical continue to work.
For instance, do the interior lights work, does the radio play, do the
headlights work?

If the battery is indeed alive (as evidenced by the folks at AutoZone and
stuff working as I described above), I would vote for something in the
primary starter circuit being bad. It's probably not the starter, since you
replaced it. First place I would look would be the ignition switch or
appropriate fuse. Next choices would be the neutral/park switch if it's an
automatic and I would work my way from there. Your technician buddy with his
trusty multimeter likely understands how to do this.

All the best,

Ken

 

First of all, you'll need a volt meter. Hook it up to positive & negative
on Battery, without engine running, if the battery is fully charged it
should read 12 to 13 volts. now start the engine and you should now have
around 14 volts. If not alternator is N/G. If alternator checks out ok,
then my guess is there is a short in your starter, draining your
battery,replace the starter, and your problems should be over. I've seen
this happen many times.From your discription I believe the starter is the
problem,but the alternator test is quick and simple, so check that first.
Good Luck