Chrysler Repair: Car not continuing to run after jump start, jumper cables, code 41

Question
I have chrysller cirrus 1997 LXI ....whenever i attach the jumper cables to my car from another it gets started  but as soon as i disconnect it .....its swithed off ....I am not getting where is the problem ...is it that the battery is out or the allternator is out .?

Answer
Hi Rishi,
I suspect that the alternator is not working because even if you had a discharged battery the engine will run if the alternator is working properly. You might be able to get a self-diagnostic readout that corroborates my theory.
You can check this out by using the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave it on" doing this in 5 seconds or less. Then watch the check engine light that remains on to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to make sure you have the counts correct. Then group the counts in pairs in the order they appeared to form two-digit number which are fault codes that tell what is wrong. The last number will always be 55 which means "end of readout".  If you get a code 41 that is indicative that the alternator is not putting out sufficient voltage to keep the car running. And of course that would explain why the battery died.
So let me know what you learn. I can't be certain that you will get code readout this way in a '97 because that was the year when the code system changed. But give it a try.
Roland