Friend of a friend with a 95-96 neon

[tman]

I've a friend with a badly running 95-96 neon(She isn't sure of the year.) She has no idea which engine it has, and I'm a GM guy. Anyway, Her car starts, and sometimes dies, but other times it runs. Sounds to me like a bad alternator, and it's not charging enough to replenish the battery. However, I'd hate to be wrong, as my reputation as the most knowlegeable car guy at school could be shattered. Are there any common problems with the ignition system I should be aware of? Does anyone agree with my diagnosis of an alternator?

This was actually told to me by a friend of the car's owner, although I know the owner very well.

[rmrfun]

does it need aboost after it dies? If not then i wouldn't say it was the altenator. I would look at fuel pressure, air filter, maybe a tuneup.

[tman]

I don't know any more than i told you, I've not talked to the owner or the friend since. I'd really want to do some diagnostics before trying to replace anything.