I have developed a strange problem with my 97 Diamante. It has 116K miles, timing belts and water pump have been replaced. The valve cover gaskets leak, I have planned to change them soon anyway. My problem started as a dont drive it for 3 days the battery is dead. I checked the charging circuit wit a test from manual, it checked fine. The alternator checked fine. I remedied the problem with charging the battery when I wasnt driving it. I would disconnect the neg terminal and puta float charger on it until the need to drive it came around. I drive a motorcycle daily and this problem just arose yesterday. I tried to start it after connecting the neg cable and nothing, nada...so I changed the batter to a brand new, never used battery, nothing, nada. I havnt gotten to check anything yet. I just anticipate a direct short somewhere. I have a digital manual, except it is for the AUS models and is a bit hard to follow sometimes. (I will share, just ask). Any ideas before I get started would be greatly appreciated, relays, etc.....
thanks heaps in advance,
Kevo

 

ok well despite ur previous battery issues i would take the starter in and get it tested. did charging the battery when u werent using it actually work and u were able to start it when u reconnected the battery?

 

Prior to 11/26/08, my fix was adequate, I thought, until the day that the part(s) would finally and completely fail. This problem wasnt new, it would happen every summer for the past 2 summers, if I didnt drive it for 3 days, the battery drained. Sometimes it would go 2 weeks or more. (In the spring, summer and fall, I ride a Goldwing or my old sportbike exclusively/daily, small shoping items, errands, etc.) I could never put my finger on the problem. I would just connect the fully charged battery and I would be fine as long as I drove it daily, I would even trust it on long trips as it never let me down, until 11/26/08 when I hooked it back up and tried to start it. I assumed that the battery bit the dust. I have been carrying a brand new battery in the trunk since July just for an emergency like this one. But, it was like I installed a dead battery! And since it is a holiday weekend and my kids are here, I will just have to wait until next week when I can push it into the garage and drag the starter out and have it checked. It is always something, lol. I appreciate your input very much, Happy Holidays to all!
cheers,
Kevo

 

find the source of the electrical draw and fix it.
I would start with any aftermarket items you may have installed, because 99 percent of the time they're the cause.

 

The only aftermarket items it has is the CodeAlarm alarm system installed when it hit the US shores. I have suspected it for many years as it quit locking the doors many years ago. I have never had enough trouble with it to go looking for it and I have yet to work on something with air bags. I can only assume the alarm his tucked away under the dash somewhere.
cheers,
Kevo

 

the codealarm system is useless, as the car has a factory alarm.
the codealarm system isnt needed.


But there are other possible sources of a draw. You need an ammeter to test the system.

 

well if he put a never used charged(u did charge it b4 u put it in right cuz batteries lose their charge over time) and it didnt start for him that would b one hell of a draw...i would say sumtin else is causing it

 

I have removed the starter and had it tested, (good) and re-installed it, carefully checking and cleaning each and every connection. It still gets no start voltage to the starter. I hear something clicking or powering in the trunk, maybe it is being disabled by the alarm system. I am at a loss and am going back in with my Fluke and a LED headlamp, aargh! Any ideas what the relays do in the fuse/relay box next to the battery? If the starter circuit is powered by a relay, this could be the problem? I am going to search for the alarm and try to disarm it.
thanks for the suggestions,
Kevo

 

I have 3 good batteries, I dont even get the dead battery clicks from the starter solenoid....

 

first of did u check the relay/fuse (idk what ur car all has) to the starter? if not start here. did u test the resistance of the b+ wire(the big fat wire) to the starter to c if u have high resistance?if u do check the wire. If not then check the starter ground to c if its good. let us know how it goes