OK after a sweet run for about 3 years by car has finally broken. Basically the battery has run flat and this is because the alternator wasnt charging it. I knew this because the battery light was on the dash. The funny thing is that my ABS dropped out about 2 months ago. so this has got me thinking its an electrical thing rather than a dead alternator.

Now i need the car back soon but money is stretched and dont really want too take it to an auto elec. so does anyone have any idea if its a regulator or something i could replace and how i'd go about testing it to figure out what it is?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have a bit of a look in the Tech Torque thread - a "sticky" post for workshop manuals that you can download to your 'pooter.

Look at Electrical/Charging system chapter and seek "Troubleshooter" type info - I'm in 3rd Gens now and the manuals for these often have a diagnostic/flowchart kind of layout for Service Depts to follow.
I'd assume the manuals for TR/TS will have similar sections. the Haynes/Gregory's Workshop manuals also have "problem-solving" sections - if you don't have one of these, or don't want to but one, try a local library.

I'd focus on the Electrical/Charging section first - solving "dead battery" or "Charging Warning Lamp" issues - then have a look at ABS and see if that section mentions what can casue the issue you had and if any ABS fault could kill your battery. I'd be thinking it most likely the two problems are not related, but I'll leave the detective work to you. Best of luck

Go to a wrecker and grab a second hand alt, most self serv wreckers now offer warranty as well.

Once this has been eliminated you can then look into the ABS but if you have been running on low power for a while the ABS relays will not have kicked in.

To check your current alt, get the car started, test the voltage across the battery terminals, should be around 13.8 volts

A Replacement Voltage Regulator can be had from Autobarn/Supercheap for $50 or so.

Its a good 5 minute job if you can use a screwdriver.

A Replacement Voltage Regulator can be had from Autobarn/Supercheap for $50 or so.

Its a good 5 minute job if you can use a screwdriver.
thats the sort of answer i was after, luckily enough i can use a screwdriver

anyone else agree with gas_hed before i go spend my money? also any easy to test if the regulator is stuffed?

anyone else agree with gas_hed before i go spend my money? also any easy to test if the regulator is stuffed?
Yeah, do what mal said:P
When it runs, I'm pretty sure it should be around the 14.4V range but I could be wrong...Anything less then 13.5 (I THINKKKKKKK) Volts means its not charging.
I would say Its an alternator though...usually if the regs gone your car will randomly stall and whatknot.
Id say grab a alt from the wreckers.

If you are around the range of low 12's then you are not charging, 13.8 is the min and 14.4 is the max from memory without looking up the spec.

You can just get a reg BUT the only issue is the armature may be badly worn also so the brushes will wear quickly and you may end up where you started

Often in the self serv wreckers you will find reco altinators on cars, these are usually around 35