1.5 months ago: Parked van, turned off all the lights, etc., anything that might cause the battery to go dead.
2 weeks later: Get in van, turn key, ABSOLUTELY nothing. Not even clicking. No cabin lights, no clock, no nothing.
1 week later: Got brand-new battery from AutoZone. Put in van, start it up, let it run for three minutes, turn it off, leave.
3 days later: Get new parking sticker, drive van 1/4 mile to new parking spot, park, leave.
2.5 weeks later: Get in van, turn key, click. Still have clock & cabin lights, but nothing more.
That's ALL that I did with my van since August 25th. I've heard from others that it's probably my alternator, but it just seems a little odd that having the van running for all of 5 minutes total could drain an entire battery. It is under a free replacement warranty for the next year, so I can get the battery taken care of, but with friends telling me of their $200 adventures with alternators, it's a decision I'm going to have to be pretty d@mn sure about before spending that much cash.
So, here's what I need to know:
1) Do you agree that it is likely a bad alternator? If not, what is your opinion?
2) In the event that it is a bad alternator or other simple part, is there a certain brand that would be most reliable in a '94 Dodge Grand Caravan with 204K?
Anyone who wants to comment, feel free. I need my pimpmobile back
