My latest problem with my van started as we began a 450 mile trip. About 75 miles into it, we stopped to fill up the gas. A few miles down the road we noticed that the 'service engine soon' light was on. Reading the manual, we pulled over and removed and resealed the gas cap. As the manual suggested, after several (though, not 3-4) cold starts the light went off. About a month later, the light comes back on. Thinking it's the same thing we try the same fix, and continue driving. Suddenly the tac drops to 0, then the speedometer drops to 0, I notice that the clock is so dim that you can barely see it, and then the van begins to act as if it is running out of gas, though runs longer than if it were (and the tank is full). We shut the A/C, and radio off, call for "Roadside Assistance", and wait... While waiting we decide to try to turn it over, and, as if by magic, it starts and runs as though nothing has happened. We decide to try to get it home, or at least as far as we can, since "RA" only pays for the first 50 miles of the tow. We get about 35 miles when the same thing happens. So again we shut everything off and wait. When it still doesn't start, we call home and have our daughter's boyfriend come to get us. Once there he jump starts the van and it starts and runs for a few miles. We jump it again and it runs for a few more miles. We jump it one last time and park it in a safe place. The next morning, we return with a new battery since we are also having a problem with the rear door sensors, and don't always remember to pull the fuse for the dome lights, which depletes the battery, which we've had to replace once already about a year ago. The van starts right up and acts fine. We take it home and let it sit for two days. Then, on Monday, I'm driving to work with the heater, headlights, wipers, and radio on. About 35 miles from home, de ja vue. I shut everything off, let it sit for about 30 mins and, as before, "it's magic"! I return home with no problems.

A friend, not a mechanic, confirmed our thoughts, that we need an alternator. But, even just running off the battery alone should take me more than 35 miles, shouldn't it? And does anyone know how to explain in layman's terms how to loosen the tensioner? Is it the nut in the middle of the pulley, or above? and how do you reach it anyway?

Thanks for your help...:)

Hi
Much talk lately about the tensioner and belt/alternator/pulley etc. changes. See:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=223817
I don't know how long your battery should carry you. As you indicate it would depend on your other loads like A/c, lights etc. Perhaps you have a semi or poorly functioning altenator due to faulty voltage regulator etc. Your voltage across the battery if the alternator is o.k. should run in the 14.5 volt range even with load. When you get it off of the van, autozone and others can put it on their test unit to see what is up with it. Alternators are a pricey idea $110+ so get it tested before you buy.
Keep us posted.

Just wanted to let you know that we did get the alternator tested and as it turns out, the alternator was producing only 30 amps instead of 130 as it should...We replaced it and that seems to have fixed THIS problem...Just waiting for what comes up next...I've already resigned myself to the fact that this is not going to be what you might call a low maintance vehicle... Thanks for everyones help...