Warning Lamp for alternator flickers, battery drains

[renata]

it starts with flickering warning light for the generator, then it goes all red, then the battery drains.
i was hoping that replacing the fanbelt would help-but alas, no.
what else could bring on this ugly situation?
Car is Golf 2 / 1991:1zhelp:

[Crasher]

You need a new alternator. What engine is it?

[Cooler_King]

The battery is only used to power the car on start up, the alternator holds the charge for the rest of the time the vehicle is moving (I believe).

So am in agreement with Crasher.

[Crasher]

What took you to Der Fatherland, BFPO?

[Cooler_King]

Roger that.

:-)