Ford Repair: 1972 Mustang, jumper cable, battery cables

Question
I recently bought a 1972 Mustang convertible.  I had some problems with the car not starting every time, and would jiggle the battery cable...then the car would start.  I asked a mechanic to change the battery cables while he was doing some other work.  He changed the positive cable, but nothing more. I drove the car home, and parked it.  The next day I tried to start the car and it cranked right up, but then turned off as soon as I gave it gas.  The car was totally dead, no power.  A few hours later it started and again went dead.

I then changed the battery cables (the 3 of them, including cable to starter).  The car started right up.  No problem at all, and kept running.  However, the alternator light was now on (wasn't on before this).  When changing the cables there was a spark from the positive cable at the selanoid.

I then changed the altenator and voltage regulator.  Still the alternator light is on.  The ground cable I took off went from battery to body ground to engine ground.  The cable I pourchased does not have a body ground, and just goes from battery to engine block.  I took a jumper cable and conneted it to the negative terminal and the other end to the body, to see if the mising body ground made a difference.  Still the alternator light stays on.

I don't know much about cars, so I went to a bookstore to read manuals.  I can't find anything to give me an idea of what is wrong.  Do you have any ideas as to why the alternator light is still on?

Thanks for your help.

Answer
JACK

check all of your connections. make sure your battery is fully charged, at full charge the battery should read 12.5 volts. if it reads below that the battery is no good.if your selnoid is sparking change it. make sure the connections at the alternator are tight and free of rust. make sure your belt is tight. if your bat is good the easy way to test the alternator is good,is to check voltage with a volt meter before you start the car. after you start the car check voltage at the bat, if the voltage went up one or two volts the alternator is good.,this test is only good if everything slse checks out okay, wires connections etc. if there is a autozone or advance auto they will test your alternator for free. hope this helps.

ken