And this morning, the battery light came on solid.

If I revved up, I was able to get the light to slightly flicker or dim but the light stayed on. I would usually guess this would be something like a faulty alternator which would lead also to the dead battery, correct?

I am resigning myself to not driving this car for a Friday/Saturday trip.

Am I right in suspecting the alternator? I will pick up a VM on the way home (my son snagged mine for a project).

Great time to test the alternator with a multimeter. Dont guess and throw parts at it.

This is why home toolboxes have locks!

Might want to check the alternator belt and make sure it is not too loose. It's one of those simple things to check/ fix before looking at the more complex items.

I wanted him to have it for the project - reduce my liability / his likelihood of a 'memorable event' that has lasting repercussions.

So the alternator belt... Is that the belt I'm looking at when I open the trunk lid?

Yes. It uses a system of washers/ shims to set the tension. If the belt gets too loose no charge.

This is starting to read a little familiar... idk if this even a possibility on your car but it was the 5 min permanent fix. http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthr...ght=multimeter

You 911 guys should keep your engine under the hood, not the trunk, even if it is in the wrong place ;)

its one of possibly two belts. one goes to the AC compressor, one is for the alternator. based on the light going out with higher revs, it sounds like the belt is loose when close to idle, but under tension as the revs rise.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...1_fan_belt.htm

Study the link above and photo below. The pulley adjustment is elegant engineering.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...t_pic5_big.jpg

Alt going bad can make for a flickering light at low revs as can a loose conector on the alt or Starter.

BUT...

Power from alt goes to + big post on starter conector and then to battery + post. Crimp or nut on the big post + at the starter can come loose. If loose the alt will be OK but the light will go on as the alt power is not flowing back to the battery. Sometimes gives same symptoms as bad alt. sometimes this problem comes and goes as the conection heats up or arc welds itself for a bit.

Alt belt is the one that goes from the fan down to the crank pully. Ac belt goes at an angle. you should be able to make the belt slip with 2 bare hands worth of force turning the fan blades. 2 fingers too loose, turn the motor over, too tight.

Alt going bad in a 1988 car in 2014 not uncommon. Crimp com at starter going bad also not uncommon but a lot less expensive to check and fix. + post on alt goes bad too as do the brushes.