car won't start, AGAIN :-(

[jimmy169]

I have a 97 nt manual eclipse and I used to have a problem where it seemed my battery was low or dead...it would not start unless i jump started. But after that it worked fine for a long time so it seemed the alternator was good. Now, I got a new system, a brand new optima battery thats supposed to outlast your car right? And again, car won't start. The alarm goes off and I can hardly turn it off, it also sounds horrible like it's a broken record. I couldn't even jump start it this time, ganna try again soon. The only thing I can think of if it's not the battery is the alternator...is there anything else it could be though? Could it be the damn alarm and some kill switch or something. I just got this car 3 weeks ago and have a viper alarm system that i don't know how to fully use (just know that if i hold down a button, it turns alarm off).

So, I guess the only thing I can do is try a new alternator but has anyone ever had this problem, is there anything else it could be?

 

[BUCK]

You'll wish you'd saved the money you spent on the Optima for the new ECU you'll be buying soon after all these jump starts. First make sure you have no Power Steering Fluid leaks dripping on your Alternator & put a new Alt on ASAP.

 

[splattj]

They probably installed the alarm wrong and it's draining your battery. Pick up a multimeter from Radio Shack. The pocket sized digital is $30 and an analog is $15. It will tell you the voltage your battery is putting out. It's helpful for troubleshooting all sorts of electrical issues. The better ones will measure resistance too.
It could be a freak coincidence and your alternator failed. If you get the car jumped and it's running you can disconnect the other car and measure voltage to find out if the alternator is charging. The battery should be 11.5-12v with the car off and 13.5-14.5v with the car running. If the alternator is good you have to find what's draining your battery.

 

[jimmy169]

Thanx a lot for the info. I thought it was the alternator first but doubting that because ones i jump start it, it works and i can drive as long as i want but once the car turns off, again alarm sounds like it's dieing but goes off and car won't start :-/ Thanx for the advice and I will try and figure out what is draining the battery (I just got this battery 3 days ago and it's an optima, so something is draining it fast, and i had this problem ever since i got the car, which was 3 weeks ago).