Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 92 Olds Toronado Trofeo Electricle problem, olds toronado, battery down

Question
I have a 92 Trofeo(6cyl) with no recent repairs, especially electrical. In the winter I seem to have a problem keeping the volts up, on really cold days especially. I was thinking the voltage regulator is a place to start. But I can not find it. The volts will start at around 8 and if I do nothing with it, they will go up and above 12, normally. But if I start to drive or turn on the heat/defrost right away it will run the battery down. The LED will say "Low Volts" "Generator Problem"
Looking for a place to start.
I took the alt off and had it bench tested and it was fine. I have no problems with it durning the warm months.
Any insight would be helpfull
Thanks
chuck";  

Answer
Hello Chuck,
The alternator may be fine on the bench, but the wire from the alternator to the battery, which probably connects to the starter stud actually, may have some resistance in one of the connections.
If it goes through the firewall, and through several connections before getting to the battery, one of them could be corroded.
Look for a connector in that wire that looks like it has been hot.
I have cut melted plastic connections out of the system, and butt spliced the wires to their appropriate mate before to correct that exact problem.

Van