Hi, I have a '95 850 Wagon.

OK, here's my problem. About a month and a half ago, my car wouldn't start. I had access to another car for several weeks, so I left it with a VERY well qualified mechanic, and he worked on a number of other minor issues, checked the alternator (it tested fine) and replaced the battery. I went back, picked up the car, drove it back here (it was 200 miles away) and drove it fine for a week.

One morning a week later it wouldn't start. Jumped fine, drove it to work, wouldn't start, jumped fine, etc. I brought it to my mechanic up here 2 days later, he couldn't find anything wrong with it, it started fine for him, he checked the battery, checked the alternator, checked the belts, etc., everything appears fine. No draw from the alternator.

Car starts fine the next two days. Then last Saturday morning, same thing, no start, jumps immediately. If I stop the car after about twenty minutes, I can start it back up for about another hour and a half before it loses power and needs another jump. It's been like that for a week now.

I spoke with the guy who replaced the battery, and I explained the whole situation to him, and his advice is to change the alternator and test that. He is actually willing to do it himself, get the alternator, and if it doesn't work, put back in the old one and not charge me. Only issue for me is I would have to get back down to where he is and leave it with him for a few days, which I can't do for 2 weeks, and I can't go on like this - people are getting tired of jumping me! I called my mechanic here and asked him to change the alternator and he refused, he's so confident it isn't the alternator. He says I should take it to the dealer here, but I really want to avoid paying dealer prices.

Anyone, please, ANYONE have any ideas as to what this might be?