Look in the Yellow Pages for an alternator/generator/starter repair shop. They will usually be able to test the charging system in the car, along with starter draw.

If the starter draws too much current, you need a completely rebuilt on with a new armature -- just cleaning, turning the commutator, and new brushes won't work since the real problem is excessive resistance in the armature. That is what causes both the high current draw and the slow cranking.

Most likely you have a couple diodes out in the alternator, so that you can only get 20A or so out of it, and repeated starts with a "tired" starter will drain the battery.

If you get a dim glow on the alternator lamp at night, the brushes are worn out and you need to replace the voltage regulator (or have the above mentioned repair shop put new ones on, only a couple bucks!).

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!