Alternator Problem, *Searched*

[XR4Tuner]

I just bought a 90 TSi AWD and the car died at an intersection yesterday. What was happening was under 3,000 rpms my Batt light, emergency brake light, thats "castle" looking light and check engine light was coming on. As soon as I got above 3k they would go away, I came up to a red light and the car stalled and could not be restarted because the voltage was so low.
Here's the weird part. The car has been having slight charging issues, like everything has been dimming while driving and it has a new battery. The car has the power steering pump and system removed and there is a wire dangeling coming off the loom that goes to the alternator. It's stripped back a bit so I'm not sure if its supposed to be hooked up to something like a ground or what. The wire looks brown but it may be dirty. What should I do before I start looking for an alternator, and any clue as to wha this wire is?
Thanks!
-Denny

 

[TURFNNSURF]

I just bought a 90 TSi AWD and the car died at an intersection yesterday. What was happening was under 3,000 rpms my Batt light, emergency brake light, thats "castle" looking light and check engine light was coming on. As soon as I got above 3k they would go away, I came up to a red light and the car stalled and could not be restarted because the voltage was so low.
Here's the weird part. The car has been having slight charging issues, like everything has been dimming while driving and it has a new battery. The car has the power steering pump and system removed and there is a wire dangeling coming off the loom that goes to the alternator. It's stripped back a bit so I'm not sure if its supposed to be hooked up to something like a ground or what. The wire looks brown but it may be dirty. What should I do before I start looking for an alternator, and any clue as to wha this wire is?
Thanks!
-Denny

If the wire is yellow, and has a 90* round end, it goes to the power steering pump pressure switch on the pump housing. Since you say that your power steering is removed you no longer need that wire.

 

[XR4Tuner]

Ok I wasnt sure because there is no longer a connector on it. I'm going to go cehck the color to be sure its that wire and not something else. Now what's the best way to determine its alternator failure and not like the alternator ground or power connection?

 

[ChicksDigBoost]

Autozone, Advanced Auto or Napa will do a free test for you, if you take them the alternator.

 

[luv2rallye]

Here's a simple alt test you can do: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226323