DO you think it's a bad alternator OR the voltage regulator?
 

Hey-

My battery problems are starting to get annoying. I put in a brand new battery a few months ago, paid $120 for it. Everything has been fine but now the battery dies about once a week and I have to hook it up to the charger. So here's the clues:

Right now the battery's voltage reads 11.87 volts when the car is off.

When the car is on, but the headlights aren't on it reads 12.14 volts so the alternator is doing SOME work.

When the car is on and the headlights are it reads 11.60 volts.

So I'm not a car expert. Do you think this is more of a sign of a bad voltage regulator or a bad alternator? The car is a 1975 300D. Thanks a bunch!

RE: DO you think it's a bad alternator OR the voltage regulator?
 

Hey thanks for the reply. That's probably exactly what I needed to hear. It looks like voltage regulators cost closer to $30 at the place I shop. The alternators they sell are $130. I've been toying with the idea of just buying a new alternator anyways as the car is 30 years old and it looks like the alternator on there might be the original. I actually created the thread before I found out how much a voltage regulator costs. I figured it'd be in the same ballpark as a glowplug relay. Either way, based on the prices I've listed here, does anyone know of a cheaper place than where I'm shopping?