Possible Electrical Problem? Options

[kash1355]

So in the summer I was having a problem with starting my car sometimes .. and LEWFX told me it was probably my air intake control valve. I just used the cleaner and sprayed it and then the starting was better.

Towards the fall I had to change my battery 3 times cuz it would just get fully drained. Like I would try boosting it home and at the mechanics and it wouldn't boost at all. I think decided to buy a Yellow Top Optima battery .. I maybe didnt drive my car for 3 days tops and then one day decided to drive it and the battery was totally dead and drained. I took it back to autosource and they said it was totally drained and i might have an electrical problem.

Now my car is just sitting in the garage for the winter, I called a nearby mechanic and he said there might be an electrical problem (possible having to do with the alternator) --- I seriously have no clue when it comes to anything electrical / engine related but im trying to learn.

From my story I just told you --- anyone have any ideas, you guys are waaayy more experienced so id just you more than a mechanic cuz u guys actually know my type of car hahah.

[Manny]

I had a similar problem before. here is what I did to find the problem....

I used my multimeter and checked the battery for a draw with the car off. Normally there should be very small draw on the battery for things like the clock and memory.... nothing big.
If there is significant draw on the battery, start pulling fuses.
If you pull a fuse and the drain on the battery drops, then you found your culprit.

In my case, it happened to be a short in the power door locks.

This wont find every problem, but its an easy and good place to start narrowing things down.

Hope this info helps