What is wrong with my car?

Asked by Dianna Apr 07, 2017 at 01:40 AM about the 2003 Pontiac Aztek

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My Azteck kept over heating this winter, then after
it cooled wouldn't start. The starter was causing
the battery to drain.  The alternator, starter, and
water pump was changed. First it was the
alternator that was changed because the battery
kept draining. At this time every thing worked fine.
Than battery again kept draining. Car kept over
heating had to run air conditioning during winter to
keep it from over heating this only prolonged
driving time but did not stop battery problem.
Husband troubleshooted the problem with the
starter and water pump. Starter was getting stuck.
When car woo Ulf over heat he noticed that neither
water or motor were hot,  this is when he realized
water pump was not working right. Had upper and
lower hoses changed on radiator. Ne belt for
alternator. New starter and water pump.  Before
these things were replaced nothing was workinng,,
inside the car (light, dashboard lights , not the
sound when you open the door, nor could I use my
remote control to open the door. After every thing
worked. 24 hours later the car was again totally
dead. What is wrong with my car?

59,735

enginecreator answered 7 years ago

Possibly not the alternator at all, but bad/corroded battery terminal wires or bad ground. Frame to motor ground. This is the bad part you may have had air in the system or bad water pump at first but all it takes is one good overheating to warp the heads and blow head gaskets. But yours sound like it has had repeated over-heatings. Have the compressions checked to and exhaust in coolant test to confirm it or not and if so decide if repairing is an option. Otherwise try bleeding the air out of the system and make sure your cooling fan/s are working, change thermostat or test it. Make sure the reservoir lid is good no crack in tank and coolant temp sensor/ switch is good. A/C on helping to cool it down makes me think the cooling fan not working but he a/c fan does but now that is not helping means the heads warped when the engine did not crank and ran the battery down. This all need looked at to be sure.

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jamnblues answered 7 years ago

sounds like it's time for a new car- it happens sometimes-

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