So I finally got a day to mess with the LE & fix the charging failure.
To recap while out on the drive to a scenic lake for a grupe photo shot,
the car burned through the charge on the battery.
With help from my fellow participants we got the car charged, tighten the alt belt that was slightly loose & swapped a voltage regulator for good measure.
To no avail ...
We limped back to the hotel & while relaxing with a cold beverage determined that the failure could be chalked up to a simple bulb burned out in the combo gauge.
Weeell, not exactly.
After pulling the gauge it appears that the bulb WAS'NT burned out.
Strangely instead of the bulb lighting brightly as soon as the key is turned,
it takes a second to begin to light and then it only energizes the bulb ...barely. as if it isnt getting full wattage
It is so dim that you cant tell that it is actually lighting past the colored lens.
What the hell?