Well to be completely honest with you I'm not 100% positive it is the altinator, the main reason I thought it was that was because the car was starting fine at first when I saw the battery charging system indicator light then a few starts later it started to sound more laboured and my headlights became dim, at this point I decided to stop driving it as I didn't want to get stranded in the outside lane of a motorway. But when I get a chance and the equipment I'll try what pizza guy suggested and get back to you fab lot. Thanks for all ya help. Oh I almost forgot!! My engine bay is salty atm because of all the rock salt they've been putting down to free the roads of ice but trust me when I say it will be spotless once I'm done with it