our beloved HHR wont start. just shows lock/theft symbol in dash among engine symbol.
we have been cruuzing happily trouble free for loooong time, wanted to emphasize that.

replaced the battery with redtop optima less than 3 years ago. earlier had original battery for 7 years.
what can possibly cause battery to die or theft system to freak out.been looking earlier posts about powersteering and add-on electronics. we dont have any.
thanks for comments, sorry for long time no postung and now this story, but our HHR really has not had any issues, and its been driven daily all year, and we have freezing temps in winter

EDIT:"BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE. PREMATURE FAILURE OF OPTIMA REDTOP"

 

The theft light comes on when the battery is dead.

Replacement Batteries are never as long lasting as OE. The OE battery was a 6 year battery, it is hard to find after market 6 year batteries. Especially in cold climates.

A failing alternator could cause a failure.

 

VIN is 3GNDA53P18S580312
its 08 2.4 automatic, 138 000kms/85 000miles

 

Did you test the battery?

 

What can cause the battery to die?
Faulty charging system
Leaving headlights on

Power outlet below radio - from your owner manual
"Notice: Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating."

 

Let’s not forget, loose relays fuses ground wires, battery terminals, all contribute to a discharged battery.

 

charged the battery (optima red top, less than 3yrs old), it was now ok started right up. never optima again if there nothing short circuited. i have to get that checked though... got mechanic time feb 2nd

 

I would look at the alternator.

 

These don’t last very long up to 4 years is good according to this, from the Optima websites

That does lead us to one of our most-commonly asked questions- How long will my car battery last? The answer is not an easy one and it can vary, based on a multitude of different factors. We can safely say OPTIMA® batteries will last up to twice as long as a traditional flooded battery, because we've proven that time and again, both in lab testing, as well as real-world applications. That broad answer does shed some light on how long your battery may last.

Extreme temperatures are hard on all batteries and can significantly shorten battery lifespan. Folks who live in Phoenix may find they consistently can't get more than two years out of their car battery before having to replace it. In an application like that, they could expect to see an OPTIMA battery last up to four years. However, in a more moderate climate, like San Diego, if someone might see four years out of a flooded battery, they could see up to eight out of an OPTIMA.

How the batteries are used also impacts performance and lifespan. Our batteries can be found in a wide variety of commercial and heavy-duty applications, where extreme and abusive applications can sometimes mean traditional battery lifespan is measured in months. Getting 18 months out of an OPTIMA battery may not seem like a good deal to the average consumer, but a commercial customer who may have previously been replacing flooded batteries every few months may see it as a great improvement.

 

Explain how these things drain a battery?