1982 Other Dodge Models Battery problems

Electrical problem
1982 Other Dodge Models

I bought the van last summer and had it immediately tuned up/checked until I was sure it was road ready.

I drove it from Montana to Los Angeles and back and had no problems. Made another trip to Seattle from Montana and back and still no problems.

Here is where diagnosis might come in.

I parked the van in September 2007 and it sat untouched until June 2008. I had to jump the battery, but then it was running fine.

One night, I went to turn on the brights and the cd player shut down and the lights (interior and exterior) were visibly darker. It was apparent that there was not enough power going to some aspects of the van, but it still was running fine.

One day after grabbing lunch, I went to start it up and the battery was dead. I went to jump it, and sparks flew out from the positive terminal on the van and the clamp became welded to the battery.

My first assumption was that the van was shot, but I turned over the key and it fired right up.

It ran fine for a little bit longer, but now there is no power coming through whatsoever and it is sitting in my driveway, unstarteable.

If you could give any insight on what happened, and how I can repair it, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick