'90 spider alternator question

["Derek Kaznoski" <sweetpea1998@domain.elided>]

I've recently had some problems with my Spider:

The battery has died twice after the car sat for about a week or two each 
time.  The second time was with a brand new battery.  I couldn't find 
anything electrical left on.

I took it to my shop where they ran a battery/charging system check.  The 
battery was fine.  The alternator output at idle was 15A, and max output was 
40-42A.  The test was run at about 2000-2300 rpm and repeated at 3000+ rpm.  
My shop manual says the max output should be 70A.  Is it time to replace the 
alternator?

Also, the car has also recently had problems with idle/missing (see previous 
postings under "90 Spider"), but these are minimal now.  However, it is 
still difficult to start, mostly when semi-warm (i.e., after sitting for 
about an hour after fully warmed).  It takes about 3 long cranks to get it 
started, and it seems to want to fire just as I STOP cranking.  Our outside 
temps have been a good bit lower than normal this week (50s, usu. 80s), and 
I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

The car runs great once started except the idle speed seems low, and 
occasionally it will stall from idle.

Today its going on an ignition system analyzer.  If this checks out we're 
going to clean the connectors at the ECU (Motronic).  I've checked the temp 
sensor resistances, and they seemed OK about 2 weeks ago.  All other EFI 
checks out best I can tell.  I've replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the 
idle speed actuator, which seems to function.  If none of this turns 
anything up, I plan to replace the temp sensor.  If that doesn't work, then 
I may replace the idle speed actuator.  Does this sound like a good plan?

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks in advance,
- -Derek Kaznoski
'90 Spider Veloce (62K)
http://home.earthlink.net/~derekshana/alfaright.jpg

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