Dead Battery or Alternator, Won't start Options

[percyv143]

Hi. I can't start my car anymore. This morning when I was driving, the batt light came out but the car still kept on running. When I got home, I cleaned the terminals and check for wiring disconnection. Checked the connectivity of the alternator terminal (top terminal) with the terminal contact on the + connector of the batt and it was ok. Also - connection too was good. When I had turned on the car to ON position only the 'seat belt, brake and door' lights on the dash board lit and not the batt. When I had started the car the started kicked and the engine started but as soon as I had released the key the engine stopped. So, I had double checked all the connections and cleaned it again. The volts across the batt terminals is 12.8Vdc, alt terminal to neg and batt + to engine block was all the same. I had started the car and noticed that the wiper is not moving as fast as it should and when I step on the accelarator the batt needle even did not move, at all. So, i thought the batt is not charging and after a few minutes the headlights are getting dimmer, so I measured the batt voltage and it now dropped to 9.8Vdc. So, the batt is not charging. What could be wrong? Dead batt (purchased 8/2002) and need to replace the alternator? Thanks.