I guess you must be asking someone else as I clearly stated that it was not your current problem.

There is absolutely no need for an alternator to start a car, it plays no part. Once started you need the alternator to replenish the power used from the battery.

Your problem sounds like a lack of battery voltage where it is needed. That is my answer to your immediate problem. Another battery is a diagnostic concept if you do not have a voltmeter or understand how to use it to verify the voltage necessary.

Your problem is consistant with a large voltage drop. That can happen two ways. No source voltage or poor connection to source voltage.

At the moment the alternator is out of the picture, though it could very easily be the cause of a bad battery. First step..... check the battery.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician