Lose wire or alternator on the way out?

vex · \r\n \r\n \r\n 09-30-2010, 09:58 PM\r\n \r\n \r\n

So I've been contemplating this event that transpired on my way to the shop to get a custom exhaust welded up.

I had just charged and put in the cars battery since I had removed it. I started the car and started driving. While underway I noticed that the battery gauge was indicating that it was draining and not charging, so I think "Crap, my alternator is on the way out." But when I go around a corner a little faster than a normal person goes in a toyota, the charging system kicks into life and begins charging the battery from it's near death location of 8v. It's charging all the way up to an awesome 14volts but drops down a little bit when the fan kicks on.

It stays charging until I begin to pull into the shop and I notice again that my battery charge level is falling. I pull in with a little under 12v on the battery after a trip of around 40 miles.

Is the general consensus that I have an alternator about to crap out on me, or that I have a loose connection somewhere that I need to remedy?

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