Weird electrical problem

[CourtesyBullet]

Ok, I have a 89 240sx with an automatic transmission (unfortunately). Anyway, when I bought it the guy told me the battery was old, and that I should replace it, but, with a good jump it was fully charged and felt fine. It started the car up no problems and everything power worked great. Then one day when I got in it the car hesitated to start a little bit, but then it turned over like always. However, no power accesories work at all. The windows didn't work, the climate control didn't work, nothing. It still drove fine though. When I fiddled with the Overdrive (unfortunately) the windshield wipers kicked on and everything roared to life. Eventually the battery seemed to die out completely, but I didn't think it was completely shot because if you'd let it sit for a day it would give a real good healthy crank but wouldn't turn over, and then it would completely die, no crank, no nothing. Even with a jump it wouldn't start. So I let it sit for awhile cause the weather is terrible around here, thinking it was a ground or whatever, waiting for it to be nice out so I could take a look at it. Since that really hasn't happend, last night I said screw it and bought a brand new duralast. I dropped it in and it cranked for a little while and then turned right over. But of course, here comes the However However, that damn electrical problem is still there. When the car turns over, it runs and idles, but nothing work, but when I give it gas and give it a nice jolt of energy, everything works just fine. I was told this could be an alternator, but I wanted to check with you guys first, because I can't really buy a part that expensive on a whim, considering I sold my pants with the deep pockets because those pockets weren't quite deep enough, and nothing in that department has changed at all. Also, I apologize for the long winded post, but I figured it would save time in the long run that hopefully enough information has been explained that somebody knows the problem. Thanks in advance guys.

[Vegascorbin]

Sounds like a classic case of a bad battery tacking out your alternator. Remove the Alternator and take it to a parts store. Most of the National chains (Auto Zone, Checker etc here in Vegas) will test it for free.

To be more specific it sounds like your voltage regulator went bad and it is inside of your alternator.

Anybody else remember the gold old days of EXTERNAL regulators that you could replace for 1/4 the cost of an alternator?

[mcfizzle]

Seconded, test that alternator.