I took the original alternator I had (from the 200sx) into Schucks, and it turns out that the alternator is bad and will need a rebuild. They sell a lifetime alternator for $100, but I decided to check out my local junkyard and see if they had one. They did, for $15 and a 30-day guarantee... not bad, and that certainly beats $100. So... I grabbed it and took that alternator over to schucks, and it tested good. So... unless something I'm doing breaks the alternator, it looks like I might be good to go on that. woo hoo!