Automotive → battery or alternator?

the last day or so when i start up to goto work, when i crank the car it seems slower to turn over like it wants to die. when driving tonite the lights were still bright, i didnt get the dim when applying the brake, but when i rolled up the (power) window it dimmed considerably. i did notice once like the battery may be bulding just a tad, i havent check the cells for water.

or could it even be the starter?

First thing I would check is the connections on the battery, are they clean and tight?

The Starter is one thing you can be sure it is not.

Is the Battery more than 4 years old?

not sure of the battery's age. i may take some pics of it for e-inspection. i will also check to make sure water is in the cells. i priced starters and i'm glad that isnt it.

How old and what condition is your alternator belt?

Something else to look at when you are in there. You more than likely know not to check out the belt with the engine running of course.

Do you have/know how to use a multimeter?

If not, and you have to take it in to a shop, don't let a mechanic tell you that he 'thinks' that x might be a problem. If he does, ask why he thinks that.

Otherwise, tell him you 'think' you'll pay him if it fixes the problem.

Have the battery load tested. Some places will do it for free. Odds are the battery is bad. I don't think it's your alternator or else your battery would die completely due to it not being recharged.

Places around here such as Autozone do that kind of thing for free. Do you pcdebb have one of them near you?

replaced the battery, car starts up instantly

there was some serious corrosion leaking out on all sides and the battery was kinda "puffy"

A new battery started it up right away??? Who'da' thunk THAT?

Was the old battery bad?

Corrosion only means a cap was allowing vapors to escape the battery, or a clamp was loose.

Remember to only use distilled water if it need topped off.

You might want to get the charging system checked out. A bulging battery may be a sign of overcharging. This will ruin a new battery.

according to autozone it was.

i didnt think anything about overcharging, so I'll have that looked at to make sure. as i said before, i dont know how long that battery had been in the car, so it felt better to just start anew with it.