Grandma's '97 acting up
 

From an email I got from her...

"I have a car problem and Grandpa has been blaming me for a couple of years for it. He says I don't drive it enough and most of my trips are very short to the stores or library or something like that. But the battery has been dying for a long, long time. Finally we had an alternator put in but it evidently didn't help b/c Grandpa says we bought a new battery after that (I kinda think it was the other way around but it doesn't matter) b/c it's still not holding a charge. I have driven it at least every other day and the last time I started it (day before yesterday) it sounded funny. Today I tried to start it and it wouldn't start. Do you have any idea of what could be wrong just off the top of your head? Today I told Grandpa that there has to be something else wrong with it and I think he agrees with me.

Let me know if you have any ideas."

I'm sure they looked at the terminals. Is there a problem with the electrical system in these cars that drain the battery that you guys know of?

Myself and like 4 others with similar years are having the SAME problem.
Ive been through 3 batterys since june (thank god for warranties). Alternator is still pumping out 14.4v while running.
I have no ideas...

help on the way
 

checkto see if there are any shorts or loose connections! check relays and terminals!! good luck! (423)246-8215 if you have questions Michael aka "BULLET":cool:

I searched for a technical service bulliten but couldn't really find anything. Where can I find technical service bullitens on these cars?

what kinda car is this? Check your ground, if it's frayed or corroded that could be your problem.

do a vat test and see what the results are. or use a dmm and check static vlotage@ batt and surface discharge also check the car if there are any possible shorts, short to ground, opens and all that stuff. some thing might be on while the car is sitting over night check all over

I don't know what a dmm is, or a vat.

she said that she took the car to the dealer and they just said to drive it more often. She thinks she drives it enough but who knows. They have had to replace the battery several times.