Car died + spark when I connect battery - bad alternator?

[thegnu]

My girlfriend's 1998 Escort's battery uncharged a couple days ago. She got it jumped, and since then it has died twice while driving. I wasn't able to jumpstart her car last time.

I noticed when I connected a different battery to her car, there is a small spark even though all accesories seem to be off.

From what I've found online it seems it's a bad alternator. Is there anything else it could be? I can always leave the other battery connection for a day or so, and see if it uncharges.

[GTP Dad]

I would replace the battery and see if it runs. If this is the original battery then it has probably outlived its usefulness. You should see a small spark when you connect the jumper cables due to the fact that current is being transferred and there is a computer and probably a clock in the car that will draw some current. Once the battery is replaced and the car is started you can check the alternator by removing the positive wire from the battery. If the car continues to run then the battery was bad. If it immediately dies then you probably need to replace the alternator. You may also want to check the belt to see if it has proper tension. If it is loose it can cause the alternator to stop charging.

[thegnu]

OK, thanks a lot for the tip! I'm not all that knowledgeable about cars and was worried about both buying a part that wasn't even bad and my girlfriend getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks again!
-Nathan