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MetroMPG; about your question about diesel needing an alternator.... No is the short awnser. In reality with how a diesel engine works it never needs any source of electricity once it's going.
But the long answer is that unless your car was built before 1998 it probably will need a alternator. Most diesels before then were Mechanical injection and the only electrical part running to the engine is a fuel cut off solenoid, and glow plugs (neither of which are needed). I had my alternator belt break once and drove around for a week on what was left of the charge until I finally had to "bump stat it" to get it going. Most cars after that have a hybrid mechanical/electric pump that is ecm controlled. Great for starting and "noise control" but a pain in the ass in the long run. I personally will stick with mechanical injection until I cant get parts any more.
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