I'm a bit red-faced this morning.

About 3 months ago, I started having mysterious electrical problems. It got worse, and so I tested my alternator. It tested a barely 12v at idle. So I replaced it.

My problems got much worse, and I began waking up to a dead battery. Art and others in the Brickboard community were most helpful in trying to help me sort it out.

Last night I went back to the neighborhood parts store where I bought the new alternator, to discuss whether it was defective. A good ol' boy who hangs around the store looked under my hood and said:

"Whar'd ye git that belt?"

"Right here, about 3 months ago."

"It's too narrow. That's your problem."

I was skeptical.... Surely that's not it.... but...... He was right.

After installing the proper belt, everything works as it should. After all these years of wrenching on cars, I had no idea that belt width was so critical.

Sheeesh....