Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting car will not start- need help

I have a problem with my contour, it will only start when I jump the battery, and when the car is shut off, it needs a jump to be started again. I took the car to a local auto store who tested my starter, battery, and alternator for free, and they said it was the battery. I bought a battery and installed it and that did'nt work. Next I took my car to Sears auto shop who also thought it was the battery, I watched as the technician put in 4 different batteries, and they did'nt work, he could not figure out what was wrong. The next day I took it to Firestone's service center, who usually do a good job, but they could'nt figure it out either. They replaced the battery, starter, and starter relay, and that did'nt solve the problem, so I'm going to pick my car up today(firestone had it for 5 days! )and I have an appointment to take it to a dealerhip(which of course I don't want to do), has anyone had or seen this problem, I don't know what else to do, thanks in advance.

Sound very strange that no one has been able to figure this out... Please indicate what the car does when you try to start it. Does it crank but not start? Does it just click or is it silent? Do the accessories work? What does it do different when you jump it? If someone replaced the starter, then it must not have been cranking. (?) The other place put in 4 different batteries, so they must have thought the battery wasn't providing any power. (Cables maybe?) Is this an ATX or MTX? Sorry for all the questions, but we really need more info to help you out here...

Where is the negative cable placed when the car is jumped? Most likely NOT on the battery, correct? You problem is most likely a bad ground. Check your wiring and your negative battery cable for signs of corrosion.