I had an issue last night, well, still do.
Driving along and my battery light turns on, just earlier that day I changed the positive terminal, so I figured, oh well somethings messed up. Checked it and everything was fine.
Then I look at the alternator, and I mess with what seemed to be the voltage regular and if it push it toward the alternator you can hear it engaging and it charges the car. My question is, do the stock alts have the black piece that looks like its held on with two screws that the connection from the wiring harness goes into?
Would I be able to just pull it off and hopefully just clean out the connection?

http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/tylerbowen/photo_zpsf1cf1368.jpg (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/tylerbowen/media/photo_zpsf1cf1368.jpg.html)
Don't mind the dirty engine bay, was in the process of cleaning it right before I left on the trip, just didn't have a chance to get there.
And the jdm zipties were just so I could make it home :P

-edit-
Also, reading through some threads, my TCL Off light would come on, random at best. No check engine light though.
Is that a feature or could something be going wrong? I read an alternator could be part of that. Idk, I may just replace the alternator at this point. :P

The black box is the voltage regulator.

Any 3rd Gen that had the larger Bosch alternator had the external voltage reg.

Some 2nd and 3rd Gens, have the smaller Mitsubishi Alternator which has the voltage regulator internally.

If you undo the two screws and the wiring connector you can remove the voltage reg to inspect it, however there should be no movement from it when its tightened. Make sure the two prongs on the inside aren't extremely worn as that will require replacing and then re fit it trying to get it to stay tight with no movement.

Edit: But please disconnect the negative battery terminal prior to doing this as the regulator does like to spark upon removal and refitting.

Are the screws tight on the voltage regulator

Brushes are most likely worn... 60 odd dollars from Bursons or Repco. They dont have to look non existent to be worn, just short really.

Screws are tight, I mean I literally have to barely touch it for it to 'make contact' in essence. I'll see about pulling it off, see what I can figure out.

If the voltage regular is bad, is it replaceable or do I have to get a new alternator?
And do you know if it'd be possible (but not required) to get an adjustable voltage regulator? I run car audio equipment so the closest I can run to 14.4 volts would be best.

I'm in the USA, my profile used to say it :/.

the regulator is replaceable, and your alternator should be pushing out 14.4 volts at idle anyway

Which bit are you pushing on?
The regulator is the rectangular box at the bottom of the picture, if that is what you are pushing on it will be the brushes worn down to the limit. Ther brushes are replaceable, a couple of dollars (US) and some work with a soldering iron.
If you are pushing on the plug connector above the regulator to make it kick in, more likely the plug and socket need a good clean.

Sorry, should stated that :P. It's the rectangular box I was pushing on.
I did clean the plug and socket first, hoping that was it :). Thank you!

Theres a fairly recent thread here somewhere about changing alternator brushes

Well it was damn near impossible for me to get the brushes, so I just bit the bullet and got a new alty. Honestly seems 10 times better anyway!
Thanks everyone for the help!