Alternator/electrical - 86' Multi / Stanza Wagon

[dvonesch]

I'll start from the beginning:

All of the warning lights came on in the car while driving, and then went out 5 minutes later. Car drove completely normal for 2 hours. Battery dies, sparks stop firing, engine dies. I assume an alternator problem. I charge the battery and replace the alternator. When the car is off: 12.6 volts over battery terminals; when the car is on @ 2000rpm w/ lights and heater on: 11.6 Volts across terminals. This says to me that the alternator is not charging the battery. While the car is running I check 1) the voltage drop between negative post of battery and alternator case: 0 Volt difference. 2) the voltage difference between the positive battery terminal and the alternator output terminal: 0.13 Volts.

I have no blown fuses.. the fusible link under the hood is fine.. wiring between the alternator output terminal and battery is fine.

So I assume I got a bad alternator. Have the new and old one checked out. The old one had in fact crapped out, and the new one is working fine.

Am extremely frustrated with this, have no idea what direction to take next. Any pointers??Thanks..