Weasel, I just saw this reply and it makes my question in the other thread completely dumb...
So, I am in for a whole alternator replacement...
Before I venture out and get one, any other thoughts about what else could have caused a red battery light - seems that the power steering is ok, no other lights are on, so, possibly the water pump is still running... So, the belt might be ok...
voltmeter shows 12.26 volts with cold engine in the morning, the car starts right up, the meter shows 11.25V, so there is no charging juice in the circuitry... This is not a load tester, this is just regular RMS meter.
I have two little solar panels fitted to the car in order to keep the battery topped off when I am not in town and the car is just parked with the doors locked and alarmed. The solar panels have been in that car for almost 3 years, no problems...
As I looked into engine bay, I could not see alternator, and was barely able to see the belt itself...
So... the verdict... alternator?
