Driving home from work, noticed the battery light came on. Stopped to get gas before making the 40 mile trip home, light went off. Light came on about 10 minutes into the trip followed by the ABS light 15 minutes later. Stopped at a light and all dashboard functions died...gauges, radio, air, etc...got moving only to stop at another light. Engine sputtered and power steering went. Coasted into a parking lot. Wife picked me up and jumped me, and we drove over to the nearest Autozone (car died twice on the way). Not knowing any better, I bought a new battery, but I was quickly educated in that the battery serves no function once the car has started, and the car should run indefinitely whether or not the battery is good. Now I need a new alternator. Anybody know why my alternator would just fail like that? I drive A LOT (35000 mi/year), and lots of starts (which I think puts stress on the alternator?), so maybe it just wore out.