Car trouble

Local H Jay

so, the battery in my van is dead. i had not driven it in about 2 months, so t's more than likely dead. i think this because it does not respond to pushing unlock on my remote, but i can unlock it manually.
also, if i turn the ignition, nothing happens.
now, if it's ONLY that the battery's dead, i should be able to jump it, right?
but my friend says since my van is 8 cylinder and my girlfriend's car is 4, we can't jump using her car (i call bullshit on this, some please confirm or deny before i try?)
also, once before this van gave me trouble, back in february the alternator died. i paid out the ass to get a new one in, but i really do not want to have to do that again. please tell me that's a rare thing.
so basics:
chevy express van 2001
it's "3500 extended passenger" whatever that means, and has a 6.5L V8 engine

i'm hard up for cash and if this turns out expensive i may be up shit creek

Dunadan019

so long as they both use 12v batteries it should be fine to jump.

Local H Jay

sweet, thank you.

Iceman.USAF

Your friend is a moron. (That's harsh, I apologize but the statement stands).

Yes, a 4 cylinder car will generate less electricity (on average) but it's still enough to jump your car.

Also if you just replaced your alternator, its really a smart move to replace the battery. In case you don't know, the alternator is what transforms gas power from your engine into electrical power for your car (I'm vastly oversimplifying here). If your alternator dies, your battery can sustain your car for a while (but not forever!). In general the battery is only used to start your engine.

eternalbl

Because the battery of the car is probably weaker than the battery from the van, you might have to hook up the jumper cables and let the van's battery charge for a bit before it'll start.

PeregrineFalcon

The number of cylinders doesn't matter worth a shit, it's the battery/alternator of the jumper that will declare it a success or failure. If the "smaller car" happens to be owned by an audiophile with a brutally powerful sound system, and he's upgraded his electrical system/battery, he can probably jumpstart a full-sized pickup, in a blizzard, while playing Notorious B.I.G., and his headlights won't even dim. :P