1990 240DL Sedan 218K.

I put up a post a few days back about my rear brake pads wearing out prematurely. I ended up taking the car to an independent VW/Volvo guy who put new pads on the rear and loosened the stuck piston in the caliper, which was indeed the problem that was suggested by those who responded.

So I set out yesterday from Nashville headed to Columbus OH for Christmas. Two things happened, almost at the same time, about an hour outside of Nashville.

1) A few of the dash warning lights, (the battery light, parking brake light, brake failure light, and another I can't remember) started coming on dimly, blinking intermittently, and "surging" (from dim to bright and back to dim), if that makes any sense. This is while i'm doing 72 miles an hour down the interstate. It was daylight and didn't notice any dimness in the headlights. I don't know much about cars, but I figured that it must be an alternator problem by the way the lights were "surging". There was no problem with the brakes.

2) Around the same time, my steering/handling became uncomfortably loose. I am almost positive the two problems are not related because...(let me back up) ever since I got new tires and a realignment in September, I haven't been happy with the handling of the car on the interstate. The ride was obviously much smoother than it was before the realignment, but the steering felt a little off at speeds over 60mph. The car seemed just seemed to rock a bit too much, and it sort of "floats" and "sails" from side to side while i'm driving in straight in a lane. There was/is about 3/4" of play in the steering wheel, not nice and tight like before. Why i didn't take it back to the tire place (Firestone) is a long story, suffice to say I was out of town for a month shortly after, and I thought maybe the problem was in my head, and while I didn't feel as safe as before with the steering, I didn't think the car was undriveably unsafe. It steers totally fine under 55-60 mph. So anyway, about the same time I noticed the alternator problem above, I noticed the steering had gotten much worse than it had ever been before, and the car would rock and sail much more than before when changing lanes. I didn't feel comfortable driving any further with these problems, and I pulled over in Bowling Green, KY.

After kicking around a few ideas, I decide to head back to Nashville, doing 50-55 mph with my hazard lights flashing. I made it about 20 miles when all dashlights and headlights started going dim. Engine seemed to be running fine.
I pulled over, turned the car off, and it wouldn't start back up. It would turn over and rev slowly a few times, but wouldn't fire. All the interior lights and headlights came on nice and bright, though. From the battery I assume. Ended up having it towed back to Nashville.

I've decided its time for a new car, but it would be great if I could get this thing running (cheaply!) at least for a few weeks until I can scrape up the dough for 240 wagon or Camry or something.

now for the questions...

1) What might be the CHEAPEST way to fix the alternator problem? I've read some of the archives where people have said that wires can get corroded around there. Assuming its not the wiring, is it possible to put in a used alternator? There is no way I can do this stuff myself, but a friend of mine might be able to do it for me. So keep that in mind when recommending a course of action. I'll have no idea how to check X wire for Y voltage, but my friend might.

2) What are some of the usual causes/fixes of this steering/handling problem? I know what the Haynes manual says, but could this realistically be fixed (or improved) cheaply by my friend with modest tools and limited knowledge? Or is it possible i'm looking at a broken shock/strut/whatever?

I sincerely appreciate any advice anyone can offer. I am a broke musician. I type this sitting in Nashville, without transportation, and i'm going to miss Christmas with my family.