I think I'd check things like the charging circuit and the alternator drive belt first before I splashed out on a new alternator

Been there, done that... the alternator on my car is driven by the serpentine belt that runs the water pump and the power steering and the A/C and who knows what else. This belt is kept tight at all times by a spring-loaded tensioner. Before I turned off the engine, I loosened, wiggled, and retightened the battery terminal connections, and wiggled the wiring plug in the back of the alternator. Next step is to pull the alternator and take it to my friendly NAPA store where they will test it for me and tell me it is no good and sell me a new one.

That alternator has 181,000 miles on it, so just from a mechanical wear point of view it is probably ready for replacement, so I'll trade it in for a new one.

tanstaafl.

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"