recently i've been having to jump my car(s4 gxl) alot. after the jump , it would only last 3-5 start ups. in about january 05 i replaced a bad alternator. is this a sign that i need a new battery or is it something else??

 

Take it to Autozone. They check that **** for free.

 

If the battery's gone dead that many times it might need to be replaced. If you've got a voltmeter check to see that the battery holds a good charge and see if the alternater is getting enough juice to the battery. Start the car and check the voltage at the battery terminals, it should read above 14 volts and if it doesn't then check strait from the alternater. If the alternater is good but the charge at the battery isn't then you've probly got some wires that need to be replaced.

 

werd, killing the battery over and over again is bad. you might of ruined your battery for not replacing the alternator soon enough.