Only jumper start works

[Binu Philipose]

Chev Venture van 2002, car battery is only 2 months old.

1. Turning the ignition swich makes no sound, no dash lights and
stereo is dead too.

2. Connect jumper cable from another car battery and it starts
instantly. Remove jumper, engine keeps running, drive on highway for
20 minutes.

3. Turn off ignition and engine.

4. Turn on ignition, but will not start exactly like in step 1.
Connect jumper and it starts and runs like in step 2.

Please let me know what are the most probable cause of starting
problem is. Is it the battery ($70-100 + 1hour labour) or alternator
($200-400 + 2 hour labour) not being able to recharge to battery.
Want to prepare myself before I decide to go to a workshop.

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

[R W Hughes]

Battery is bad, alternator is good

[Binu Philipose]

Sorry for delayed update. Hughes, thanks for the reply. This is
exactly what the mechanic said when I told him what is happening on
the phone.

But when he looked at it, there was a positive wire from the battery
that was loose at the fuse box. Charged the battery after the wire
was fastened and to this day no problem starting the vehicle. And
yes, it is the same battery.