2004 Crossfire with low mileage. Battery drains if cables left connected and when I drive it, shifting in any gears as I accelerate, engine will start to chug and then will die. Chugging may be intermittent but once it starts, engine will eventually die. I don't dare drive it more than a few blocks as it happens pretty quickly.

 

remove the alarm located in the cowl. That’s the most likely culprit for the battery drain
Change both Crank and Cam sensors (only replace them with Bosch)
99% that this corrects both issues.
Best part is that the sensors are relatively inexpensive and you’ll need a pulley for the wiper arms to get to the alarm.
Cheap fix.
You can get the wiper arms puller from Amazon or probably for less $$ at harbour freight

If you decide to go this route, let us know if that corrects both issues.

 

First, let's TROUBLESHOOT.

Obtain a voltmeter, like one of those you plut into the cigarette lighter. Start the car, what voltages do you see? Voltages over 13 show the alternator is charging, less than that, and you need an alternator.
If the electrical system is causing the rough running (I doubt it is but IF), then the voltmeter will show it and the mystery is over.

There is NO LOAD in the car heavy enough to cause this to happen, so disconnecting the siren or whatever is not going to make the car run right - altho it might stop the battery from draining when the car is shut off.

 

raddad, If you can drive your Crossfire to an auto parts store they can check your charging system and battery. Also, the store can hock up a scan tool and search for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) for free. That would be a good place to start.

Also look around this forum for help on all things Crossfire. Start by going to the section TSBs and How-To- Articles for a wealth of information. Particularly there you will find "Pizza tech help pages", where you will find instructions as to finding battery drain problems AND "Index of Crossfire problems and repairs."