Car wouldn't start- Headache with potential warranty issue- advice please??

[Magicboy2]

A while back, I posted that one day my car wouldn't start. Well, more accurately, it WOULD Start, but then promptly stalled out, as it does when the alarm system is armed. Battery and starter OK, and I could hear the fuel pump priming when I turned the key. After a while, the car eventually started, and ran fine since... problem magically went away.

Until last Friday, that is. Same deal... car would start but then immediately stall. Tried again every few hours with same result. I double and triple checked to make sure the alarm was off (horn didn't sound if I opened the door), but the motor would still stall. This strongly hints at a computer or alarm problem. So I had it towed to the dealership. Unloaded it, and it didn't start there either. They said the soonest they could look at it was the next morning.

The next morning, they called and said it started right up for them. Again, problem magically went away. They performed a diagnostic and the only code that came out was "battery". However, I've never had a dead battery, assuming that I would realize it by my radio presets being erased. Besides, the battery was definately fine while the problem was occuring becuase it had no trouble starting the car afterwords.

So, I'm out $175 for the diagnostic and probably $75 for the tow (I have the MaxCare warranty with $200 ded). That much I guess I'll swallow, but the issue is, that nothing was actually fixed , and what happens when I have this exact same problem again sometime down the road?

Was it reasonable for them to stop trying when the symptoms disappeared? How many diagnostic fees will I waste because the problem magically goes away while the car's in the shop? The dealer even noted on the service invoice, "car will likely need further diagnostic and repair."

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

[Wild Bill]

How old is your battery? Did you have the battery load tested?

The battery doesn't have to go dead to give you these symptoms just low. My car behaved in a very similar manner-battery change took care of it.

Bill
(remember with free advice you get what you pay for)

[Ulysses]

Definitely sounds like the battery. You'ld think that if they got a battery code that they would diagnose the battery a little more.

[Magicboy2]

Not sure about the battery's age- I'll check... but, in the 8 months I've had it, the car has always had plenty of juice to get itself started...

[bandit 3]

I own a repair shop-- this happens occasionally. These ittermitent problems are very hard to diagnose. We had an Explorer two weeks ago doing exaclty the same thing as yhours, it was the battery. Replace it and dive for a few miles for the ecm to relearn-- all should be well. I used an Interstate MT34-- fits well and has been fine for the last two years. John Oh, whats your address-- sending a bill!