wes:

most likely the battery is shot.

assuming that the replacement alternator is working ok (say 13.25 - 14.5 V
across the battery terminals when running), and has had time to charge up
the batery, the battery is probably at fault.

sometimes batteries fail becasue they develop too much internal
resistance, yet may pass a hydrometer test, and also show the standard
12.25 V across the terminals (with no load).

given the symptoms, and assuming the alternator is working ok and has had
time to charge the battery, if she fires up easily with a jump, then the
battery is almost certainly at fault.

dan

On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 15:43:05 -0600, Wesley Alden Pegden
<wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU> wrote:

>Hi guys,
>I'm having frustrating electrical (I think) problems.
>
>First, my van ('84 manual) wouldn't start.  Headlights would come on
(battery okay) and they would dim when I turned the ignition (so power was
getting to the starter), but it wouldn't turn.  I heard a click when I
would turn the key, and again when I would release it.
>
>I ordered a rebuilt starter, and finally got around to installing it
today.  It started twice in a row, so I thought it was okay, but then the
third time it didn't, and I realized I was back where I started.  It
starts maybe one out of 5 times, and when it starts, it starts right away.
>
>The battery is right at 12.0 volts with the car off.  With the key turned
all the way (but when it fails to start) it drops to 11.4.  If it starts,
it sits at 11.6.  So now I figure maybe my alternator is bad.  I had an
extra alternator, so I put it in, but absolutely nothing has changed, and
so  now I'm stumped.
>
>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
>
>-Wes