Alternator?

[JMallows]

Need a little help. As you know my battery died the other week after 12 years, and now the new one isnt seeming to start the car very well.... My guess is the alternator, but i'm not sure how to tell. The fan belt is tight, so isnt that, cant think of anything else?

Its freqwuently on 12.2-12.3V in the mornings, and seems slow to start (sometimes). I did start it with the meter on, it dropped to 10, then jumped up to around 13V, which seems a bit low to me? I'm only doing 3 mile trips or so, so might just be not putting enough back in, (I do have my lights and blower on too...).

Any theories?   

[Volkswagavin]

If your battery wasn't charging the battery light would be on (as long as it was working).  12v seems about right, as its only a 12v battery, however the charge frequently hits 13 or 14v when the engine is running.

For starting problems I thought I'd set up my own little club for golf owners who's cars aren't starting!  Mine took ages to finally turn over this morning, its going in to be sorted next tuesday.  My betting is that its the distributor, fuel pump or ignition coil as I've replaced everything else!

[JMallows]

Battery lights not on at all when its running... might just be a crap battery then!?

Mine starts fine, always first time, no sweat, but its a bit slow to turn over sometimes...

[Devon Joe]

Try this check- start the car and then remove a battery terminal- if the engine dies then its time for a new alternator. (the battery is really just for engine starting)

Short trips in the cold&dark will also drain the battery quickly if the alternator is dead- I found a new battery will just about last from M5 Gloucester to M5 Avonmouth in the dark.. 
To be fair my Golf Git is slow to crank sometimes too even after swapping starter motor/alternator...could be all that euro wiring i 'spose

[JMallows]

Ok, cheers, i'll give it a go and let you know what happens!

[Volkswagavin]

Or the coil....
 

[gstar-dubworld]

Check the earthing..

[Golfgal]

If your battery wasn't charging the battery light would be on (as long as it was working). 

I've had my alt go and there was no warning from bat light

Try changing it get a nice big one cant do any harm to replace these things anyway

[Agreeable Slick]

Check the regulator in the alternator, these sometimes get stuck and stay in contact with the coils inside the alternator, which drains the battery constantly. Mine did this in the old white valver, they cost a mere £5 from an autofactors to replace and its a 5 min job. 

[Golfgal]

Your into much cheapness right now aint ya sick?