If it would start, and run for long periods of time, then my guess is not the alternator..

 

my 280 gave me problems to so i changed the batt. cause it didnt want to start it did it some more so then i cleaned the batt. and the wires and itz turns on fine now.

i was thinking alternator. b4 i was to replace it i did the cleaning. save me a few bucks and bought some beer.

 

im also thinking its the battery. its just old and isnt hold a charge that great and in cold weather its just amplified

 

thats not always the case, my alternator isnt putting alot of juice out and it runs no problem, just not as good as it used too.

 

batteries will not normally lose volts sitting there. if it is charged when he stops and dead in the morning, he more then likely has a short,

 

well acually if hes running any where near 12 volts while driving arround after a jump the car will run but not charge the battery, its good for a start afterwork because it isnt as cold but when he gets home in the morning and tries starting it while it is cold out a cold battery is going to have less cranking amps than a warm one and then throw in the charge on top of that, no start.

crap wires could cause it too, especailly when they get crunchy when you squeeze it with your fingers

 

Got a multimeter? you want 12.6 volts first thing. If you don't have that, start looking at your grounds, we had a an old chevy in mechanic school that was set up just for this. There was an intermittent ground that was all corroded and it could drain a battery over night, just make sure they aren't corroded, and if they are, take them off and hit it with a wire brush, there's also this spray stuff for after you brush it but i cant remember what it is. And good ol advance will test your battery free of charge, both in car and out, they will also test your alternator and starting system. I cant tell you how many times when i was working there a battery would test good on the bench but in the car there would be a problem and almost every time it was solved by replacing the cable ends. Good luck.

 

it was my alternator lol it was shot and so was my battery.