4kq charging problems

[PN <pajono@compsol.net>]

For awhile now I've had a situation that has worried me: when I start my 87 
4kq, the digital voltometer shows 12v on the nose. Blip (or hold) the 
throttle and it still doesn't head towards 14v. I've actually been able to 
driving lightly and keep the gauge from going up. If I gets the revs up 
under load (normal driving), the meter jumps up to 14v, and the fuel pump 
gets louder (windshield wipers and everything else work faster as well). My 
battery light in the console never comes on; I'm hoping it's a burnt bulb, 
but I can't get the damn thing out. Bentley claims this should be a 12v/2w 
bulb, mine is a 12v/1.2w bulb. Can anyone confirm? Any suggestions on 
getting the bulb out would be great.

To me it sounds like a problem with the charging system. I've replaced the 
battery (it was old anyway), and the problem still exists. Any ideas? I'll 
change the alternator, but I was hoping someone may have seen this before.

Thanks,
Paul
87 4kq
86 parts pile