[200q20v] no start problem

[C1J1Miller at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/7/01 6:21:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
omllenado at hotmail.com writes:

> Thanks, Im just being cautious since replacing the starter would mean 
another 
> $300 pocket drain.
>  anyway I had the battery charged last week of january when i had a major 
> tune-up.... does this means that the alternator is not charging?... 
>  
>  Oliver M. Llenado

Why did you need the battery charged in January?  I haven't had mine 
"charged" by anything but the alternator since the battery went in 4 years 
ago.

A shop can evaluate the battery to see if it's holding a charge; might just 
be time for a new one.  When the car is running, are you showing 13+ volts on 
the dash meter?

You might have a short in the system slowly draining the battery, or a 
problem with the alternator.  
Mike Arman has a nice writeup on testing/rebuilding alternators on my site;
http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/electrical.html
Start with those tests, and you'll know what to do.   Sounds like a DIY 
battery replacement.
Chris