Need help with a 95 Monte Carlo quick

[96redcamarors]

My girlfriend is looking into getting this really nice 95 monte carlo with low miles and fully loaded. The only catch to it is that the guy that has it has to start it with a "box starter" (as he called it). Everytime he turns the key off the car loses its charge. He hooks the battery charger to it and it holds charge up until he turns the key again. Does anyone have any idea what in the world is wrong with it because I don't think its the alternator if it holds charge once it gets it and I can't think of anything else that it could be. All help would be greatly appreaciated. Also, about how much would it cost to get it fixed and is it very complicated (could I do it myself or with another set of hands).
Thanks guys.

[malice10985]

sounds to me like it just needs a new battery. People have a problem with thinking that simple electrical problems are huge ordeals.

[96redcamarors]

I figured it would just be more than the battery. The guy sounded stumped when he said he doesnt know what was wrong with it at all.

[Pastor Larry Roques]

Have you checked the cable between the alternator and the battery? That was the problem on my minivan last month. Like to drove me crazy.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

so he has to jump it start it but it will run on its own????????

its the battery then

[Ian]

Originally posted by viper04af:
so he has to jump it start it but it will run on its own????????

its the battery then

exactly what he said. if it runs on its own, its gettin a charge from the alt. the battery is just beat.


heres what you do:

bring your battery from your car, or some other battery you KNOW is good, and try it out in that car.

[96redcamarors]

Thanks for all the help guys. The problem was the battery. What happened was he went and bought a new battery, but it was WAY too small of a battery and thats why he can't start it with out a jump. My girlfriend isn't for sure if she wants it or not still but at least we know its not in any way hard to fix.

[MustangEater8251]

if its a dohc 3.4L don't buy it....

my dad, who doesn't rag on cars just popped his 2nd motor in his, and the frame only has 65,000 miles on it.

very expensive car to maintain, very hard ot work on.