Automotive Forums

Hope someone can help!  My 99 Chrysler Sebring will not start.  It has 120,000 miles on it.  It would not restart one evening after I pumped gas.  The AAA guy jumped it, and I was on my way.  The next morning it started, and I went and purchased a new battery at Sears.  I made one stop on the way home, and it started again just fine.  The next morning, it struggled to start, but I did get it started twice.  However, I was concerned about taking the car out on the freeway, so I decided to bus to work.  The car would not start again.  

Yesterday, I had two friends try to help.  They bought an alternator, and fully charged the battery  before putting the alternator in.  They could not get the engine to turn over or start at all.  They then abandoned putting in the alternator.  

Any ideas on what to look for next?  I am trying to put as little money as I can into the car because of the miles, and due to the fact that I am a poor medical intern.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kai9
Benicia, California  

It sounds like something is shorted out and is draining the battery. You'd have to go through the entire car's electrical system to figure it out. I would consider charging it up, taking it to a dealer, and trading it in for whatever they give you and then buying a beater  

redscare:
It sounds like something is shorted out and is draining the battery. You'd have to go through the entire car's electrical system to figure it out. I would consider charging it up, taking it to a dealer, and trading it in for whatever they give you and then buying a beater

Not a very good reply to help the guy out!

First of all when you say the car does not start you have to say if it is cranking over or not! If it is a draw on the system just pull the fuses one at a time  to isolate it but you will need an DVM and know how to check for a draw. If you can't do that then any shop should be able to help you out.

Gary  

Sounds like multiple problems. If you can get it started.  Take a volt meter and read the voltage across the battery terminals.  Should be around 14 volts.  If not replace the alternator.  With the engine off disconnect the negative battery cable and put the cable  and battery terminal across a  a twelve volt lamp .  If the lamp lights there is a draw on the system. (could be the diode trio in the alternator) or someting else.  

if the car is not cranking and your headlights work try banging on the starter with a hamer if the car is craking check the timing belt spark
plugs or pull a wire off and have some one crank it and see if you get spark