battery light problems

[Bmwbro]

ok, i just got back from school and i am trying to awake my car.

some problems i had last time i was here included the battery light coming on and my car eventually dying.

last thing i did was get the old battery tested and it was deemed to be a "bad battery".

so when i got home i went to sears and bought a vented internationl die hard battery that fits nicely in my 88ix. (my battery is located in the trunk)

now the car starts, but i don't know how long it will because my battery light is coming on again. very faintly when idiling, and bright as i push down on the accelerater. i only turned to car on for about 5 minutes and shut it off.

this sounds like a classic alternator problem, am i correct?

if it is the alternator, i was wondering how i could test it to make sure, if it is something i could do myself, and how much i am looking to spend.

thanks for your help, i really want to get my car movin again.

[kowalski]

yes its the alt. you can take it to canadian tire and they will test it for free. or you could hook up a multi meter to it and if it reads 13.5 volts then its good if it doesn't then its bad.