Originally Posted by
steve.rst
if i splice into the insulation on the thin blue wire going to the alternator and put a meter across this wire and negative on battery, i have o volts when engine off, 14.2 volts when engine idling and increases to 14.35 volts when increasing engine revs
In that case will be heavy gauge wire (From B terminal) that goes to battery that probably needs replacing.
The blue wire you refer to excites the field windings that starts the charge process it will have 12V + with ignition on and output from alternator with engine running. (Thats how battery light extinguishes as to lives=no good)
Also check battery and engine earths.
Martin