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Just curious, what is the relationship of the Volts to Amps?
If your volts are high (like 15 to 17) but the amps are low (like zero to 1), then your regulator is toast.
If the Volts are low, you may have blown a diode. (there are 4 set in an AC-to-DC-array, a loss of one will drop 25 percent of the power)
If your alternator is Hot, check for a wiring short (possibly internal or external in the car's wiring harness), or bearings that are dying (which is usually accompanied by a loud noise). I'd trace the wiring harness from the alternator to make sure that none of the lines are shorting to ground.
Also, is your 'battery' idiot light coming on with the other idiot lights before you start your car? This is needed to pre-charge an induction field in the alternator for proper operation.
For further diagnosis, check out the local auto-parts stores for a alternator test station. One of the local parts stores has a bench where you bolt down your alternator and they hook a motor and belt up to it. They run it through a series of load tests and the attached computer gives you a printout of the performance.
Good luck and God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
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'87 Blue 245, NA 214K
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