Question for car repair savvy ppl

[jekajekalynn]

I have a repair question.

Our Pontiac Aztek is having probs (again...). See , we replaced the battery a few months ago because the old one was about 6 years old , and the car was dead when we tried to start it. It started right up fine when we replaced the battery. Now, it has been about 3 months since we replaced the battery and this week we have had died on us twice . We had to jump it, and it runs fine when we do afterward.

We took it to a mechanic today, and he tested the battery and alternator and they are both fine. He said the problem is something is draining off the power , and that is usually the wiring. So my question is, how long of a process is that to do (testing the wiring , and replacing) and how much does this procedure usually cost? lol TIA to all the car experts.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Before I started playing with all the wiring, I would look at ALL the fuses. They can be everywhere in the car. A few years ago in our old Oldsmobile the car would die frequently and after several hundred dollars in work it was found that one simple fuse was out and causing all the issues.

 

[foolishmortal]

sounds like what happened to my wifes car a few years ago and it ended up being the starter

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

We had a new battery die after after the car sat for a few days, and found that the glove box wasn't closing all the way and let the little in there was on all the time. Just took the bulb out and problem solved.

 

[C.Ann]

What year is this car? It happens all the time with my 2005 T&C because I don't use it often enough.. (I've been trying to remember to start it and let it run for awhile at least every other day..) The battery will go dead if the car is not started or used for "x" number of days and if you know that it isn't going to be used, you should disconnect the battery..

I asked my Dson-in-law's best friend about it (he's a mechanic) and he said it's a common issue with most newer cars because they're computerized.. I don't remember the exact words he used, but it was along the lines of the computer is always running - whether the car is on or off - and it will drain the battery down if the car is not started and allowed to run for awhile at least every other day.. Some cars will hang on a little longer than that, but sooner or later, non-use will drain the battery so that it appears to be dead, but it isn't really.. You just need to jump start it, run it for awhile, and remember not to leave it sitting for any length of time..

If your car is older, it could be one of the other issues mentioned here..

Good luck with finding the source of your problem..