Charging Problems

[sepehr]

My battery does not charge, as would be expected of a dead alternator:

Measuring at the battery, I get 12.4 volts when I fully charge the battery. The potential difference between the alternator positive lead and ground is the same as the battery: Starts at 12.4 and slowly drops.

The battery light never comes on, the ABS light is the first one to flare up (ABS computer shutting off due to low voltage?).

The real question is: is it actually my alternator thats dead, or is there some electronic device (relay?) between the alternator and battery +ve terminal that has kicked the bucket?

Is there something between the alternator -ve terminal and the ground cable?

Thanks in advance, any help would be apprecialted.

I sort of feel like I'm driving an electric car right now; I'm having to charge the battery before I go anywhere, and recharge before I come back :p.

[oldtimer]

I don't know if the m10 charging system is anything close to the M42.  The reason I am mentioning this is:  the small light bulb that illuminates when the charging system fails did not have a good connection hence when the car was not charging I have an indication.  I replaced a good alt. because of that bulb. After I installed the new alt it did the same thing, that's when I notice the charge indicator did not come when you turn the key to show all the warning lights.  The charge one did not come.  Took the cluster out and replace bulb system came back to normal.  

So you might want to check that bulb or turn your key to see if it does come on.

[sepehr]

I know for sure that the battery is not charging.