Power issues at idle in cold weather, HELP! Options

[GriffGirl]

Okay so it's cold - unseasonably cold here this week. This morning my car kind of turned over "sluggishly" when I came out to start it this morning, but it did start on the first try. 25 minutes later when I arrived to pick up my friend to go to work, as I sat idling the battery light came on so I gassed it because I know that means alternator. Well probably a minute or two later it did it again but the radio and accessories shut off, but went back on again when I gassed it. This continued a few more times for the next 5 minutes, and when I went to drive away it did it one more time while I was driving to the end of the block but hasn't done it again since.

Is this just a cold weather thing wreaking havoc on my battery, or is my alternator going out? I've lived where it's cold before and don't remember this ever happening. I think my battery might be on the older side, although when I had the clutch replaced the battery died so I had it tested and it tested real strong on cold cranking amps. Anyone have any ideas? Should I worry?

This post has been edited by GriffGirl: Dec 17, 2008 - 6:54 PM

[GriffGirl]

Okay, so on the Autozone web site I found (well, my girlfriend found) photo instructions on how to remove the alternator. As she somewhat smugly came out to inform me of this finding ("why didn't you look it up before you left work?" - I WAS BUSY ) I had figured out that there was that second bolt at the bottom of the alternator. However the autozone site did confirm that Yes, the stupid Relay box is in the damn way, and yes, there's a third bolt down there that actually loosens the belt.

Further: yes, getting that fender-side bolt to line up with the little block on the tensioner bolt thingie was a separate adventure. I am fortunate enough to have the hands of the small Japanese folk who designed our cars. My hands are stupid small. I'm lucky to even have thumbs. In any event, I was able to just reach down with one hand to feel for the hole on the block, and use my left hand to thread the bolt through. And I have a tiny scratch on my knuckle to prove it.