okay so after my previous issues, I now have more. Im not very happy with this thing either

so after i installed a gauge into my car I noticed that the battery would go flat after 3-4 days. I unplugged the gauge but it kept happening
It went flat before I went on my trip, which means i didnt drive it for 3 weeks. When i got back i jump started it (It took 10 minutes of charging from my dads subi)
We took it for a 20 minute drive, next day it was flat. I thought maybe we didnt charge it up enough.
had the battery tested and its 100% okay.
 
Decided i would charge the battery up over night using a battery charger plugged into mains. also disconnected everything aftermarket that had been put in the car.
it charged for about 8 hours, and started straight away. took it for a 10 minute drive, parked it
Next day it was flat

Im at my wits end with this car. Ive also found out it has rust on the roof and the water pump is on its last legs, not to mention the rear mains seal leak.
I feel conned and i think I have bought the dodgiest mr2 on the market.

If anyone can help me that was great, even if theres someone that lives near by that could give me a hand. I live near capalaba

Thanks 

Eric 
 

Well its either 1 of 3 things, 
1. Battery is on it way out - if the car is running fine once started, prob just the battery
2. Alternator not charging correctly
3. Something is drawing to much current when the car is off.
 
Altho if its the alternator, may also need a new battery, once you flatten a battery and charge up a few times, there gone.
 
Best thing if you dont have the tools or the know how, take it to a auto elec, they can load test the battery, check the alternator is charging ect, if its just one of those 2 then its very quick to find the fault.
 
If you have a multimeter, charge up the battery, measure the voltage, start the car and let it idle a bit, see if the voltage goes up to 13-14+v or just stays the same and only goes down.

Get yourself a multimeter. As well as above tests.

To check if you have something draining the battery with the car off.
Remove positive lead from battery, and connect meter between positive and battery.
Should have very small current draw, maybe around 10mA or less.
If you have excessive current pull fuses until it goes away.

Intermittent door light or boot light is a common one.

If it always starts on a full battery charge I reckon it's 90% the alternator. Cars approaching 20 years of age the alternator seems to die :S
Mine did as well as my mate's R32 and 318is
Like above posts get a multimeter and take measurements. If idle voltage less than 13V than it's def the alternator. Normally idles about 14.4V I think.
Unfortunately not the easiest car to work on but you would have known that when you got it. There's an article on how to change the alt here if you want a crack at it. Otherwise just fork out and get someone else to do it lol

OP - mine had rust in the roof too: http://www.mr2australia.com/MR2play/tm.aspx?m=53250
got it fixed because these cars are too nice to have rust. 

Multimeters are incredibly handy, and the basic ones are pretty cheap. Do the above tests, and you should locate the source of the problem.
If it turns out the alternator is charging, it may just be the fuse. I think its a 12.5A, in the engine bay. Without it the alternator won't energise, so you get nothing. The battery dash warning light also won't illuminate when you turn the ignition if this is gone.
 
Just removed all the targa seals on mine and found a bit of rust. Thankfully it was nothing structural, and I just ground it off. Definitely a good idea to treat it ASAP.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I have to go pick up a new multimeter since mine is wrecked and dosnt work, so will be doing that ASAP.
Obviously I will be getting the rust fixed. my neighbour is a boilermaker by trade so he might be keen to do a cash job. plan is to cut it out and replace it. not too bad i guess

And yes it is too nice to let it go lol :P

I bought a multimeter at Dickies recently for about 8 bucks - works great for what I need lol

Oh yeh when my alternator was on it's way out, 3 instrumental panel lights came on, namely: 
Battery, catalytic converter (box with squiggly lines lol), and something else I forgot. Voltmeter on the car should tell you anyways how much charge you have left. Make sure it doesn't die in traffic!
(I had to keep it revving like a douche at the lights but it got me home inches before my driveway lol)

Tree
 (I had to keep it revving like a douche at the lights but it got me home inches before my driveway lol)

N/A drivers should be used to revvin LOL