First major setback.

[Pike]

I went out to reconnect the fusebox and run the car for a bit to keep it happy. It had been about a week since I had run it last. I charged the battery for a minute, and started it right up. After running for a few minutes, I truned it off, then back on and let it run for a few more.
After a bit it coughed a few times (never done that) and then died. I immediatly turned it back off, and tuned the key: Nothing. The fans turn on, but the starter will not go. No click or anything. The charge, RPM, oil pressure, engine temp, and fuel levels were just fine. What is going on? I am going to check later to see if the harness has managed to work back off, but this seems a little bizzare. Help!!

[gearhead290]

check your hook ups to the battery

[Pike]

Went back out, checked the fusebox, checked the charge on the battrey. It came in at just under 12V, not good. I reconnected the charger, gave it a minute and then tried to start her. Guess what? It ran.
_ The Ampmeter was reading less than green. When I disconnected the charger, the volts dropped off to zero. I am going to make sure that it is not just the belt to the Alternator, but that is only wishful thinking.
_ How do I test to see if the wire from the alternator broke, or where should I look into buying a new one? I can get it for a between $50 and $100 dollers online with core exchange, but any other input would be great!

[carsontc]

measure the voltage with a cheap multimeter right at the + and - battery terminals

with a decent battery and alternator and the engine running - the reading should be in the neighborhood of 13.5 volts or more and with the engine off it will drop much closer to 12 volts

you should see the change in voltage when you run the car and rev it a little

how old is the battery?...many auto supply or drive-in shops have free testing

[turbohead7]

Get yourself a healthy battery first of all. Then check the alternator output voltage---should be well over 13.5V closer to 14.7V is ideal. Run the car with the voltmeter hooked up and load the alternator down with every electrical device possible---lights, A/C, rear defogger etc... Voltage should stay about 13.5V. Check all battery cables grounds and positive wires right up to the alternator. Check the blue wire on the alternator, it's an excitor wire that should have positive voltage on it with the engine running.

[carsontc]

assuming your battery is good, take ALL the battery terminals wires apart and clean the ends until they shine...goop on some dielectric tune-up grease

while the battery is disconnected, do the same for the wires on the starter motor...corroded/oxidized connections is a common cause for your problem