car needed to be jump started

[MAD56]

i drove for an hour shut it off and still wouldn't start needs another jump
what do i need an alternator

 

[kramer]

Sounds more like the battery to me...

 

[mulder]

i drove for an hour shut it off and still wouldn't start needs another jump
what do i need an alternator

Not enough information here to help you. Both the battery and charging
system need to be tested to determine the cause of your problem. In
some cases a failed alternator will stress the battery so it will fail
as well, the opposite is also true.

 

[lkreh]

Happened to me very recently...99 OBW w/ 117K miles and original
battery. Turns out I just needed a new battery, which autozone
installed for me in the parking lot.

LK

 

[Paul Johnson]

i drove for an hour shut it off and still wouldn't start needs another jump
what do i need an alternator

get a multimeter and hook up the leads to your battery while car is on.
if it reads above 12volts or around 14 volts then your alternator is
fine. just bring it to a auto parts store and they will tell you.

paul j

 

[hippo]

i drove for an hour shut it off and still wouldn't start needs another jump
what do i need an alternator

Get the battery tested & replace if it's cactus, but get them to check
your charging rate at the same time. Kills 2 birds with one stone and
saves one labour cost and another trip. Cheers

 

[Edward Hayes]

Look to AutoZone for free help with the batt & alt checking

 

[John Gibson]

Look to AutoZone for free help with the batt & alt checking

Missed most of the thread, didn't see what car is invlved ...However the 98 OB has a recall

"Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that your Subaru may experience
a loss of alternator charging

due to a broken brush wire.

As your Subaru accumulates more miles, the brush wire may become
fatigued and eventually break.

If the wire does break, the Charge Warning Light will illuminate
providing ample time for the driver to seek repair service

(depending on battery condition, approximately one hour of vehicle
operation.)

However, if the warning is ignored, the battery will eventually lose
power and the engine will stop running.

Please contact your Subaru dealer and schedule an appointment to inspect
and possibly replace the alternator at no cost to you.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, but we have taken this
action to assure your vehicle?s proper performance."