Went camping. I was going to drive the car to the showers (it'* far way). It wouldn't start (no cranking or whatsover). I let my friend (who'* a lady) try and she stabbed the gas pedal at the same time she tried to start it, and it fired right up. on the way home from camping, I pulled into a gas station because my friend need potty. I left the car running and it died, no sputtering or anything. It started back up fine. I arrived at friend house and chilled there for about four or five hours. I was leaving and it wouldn't start or crank for a good while. I tried the gas/start techinque a couple of times to no avail so I let my friend (lady one again) and she did the same techinque and it started. Next day, same scenario (but at my house) did the gas/start techinque and it started but I left it running to get something and it died. Went to town and I was at a red light and it died again (no sputtering or anythign), started up fine again.

Is this a classic scenario of a failing alternator or something different?

Sounds like a fuel pressure issue to me. Check your fuel pressure.

Or clean your battery cables. What'* your volt gauge doing? How do you know it'* not cranking? Can you feel it or did someone tell you?

Battery cables are clean (I should know, I cleaned them). Now that you mention it, my voltmeter has been acting weird. It'* alway been on the low side close to the red line but not past the hash mark for about three or four weeks.

I thought if it cranks, you can feel it?

I don't pay as much attention to how some things feel.

I'm leaning towards alternator at the moment, because it'll stall at idle. It could be killing off your battery as well.

How about stop by an advance or checker auto parts and have your electrical system stress tested. That would give you some idea. But I still think you should check your fuel pressure. Just in case. That whole pedal jutting thing leads me there. The injectors pump more fuel, or what pressure you do have, and it starts...

Fuel pressure wouldn't stop it from cranking.

right. but it wont start period unless theres some cranking going on.

so thats the factor here, is it cranking, how fast is it cranking and have that electrical system tested.

I would think the starter is on it'* way out.

Next time it happens.. (prep before hand by remove the front splash shield and keep a hammer in the car.) then have someone hold the key to start while you bang on the starter. If it fires up from a hit..then it'* on it'* way out. aka gummed up soleniod.