my gen light is on. It stays on even AFTER I turn off the ignition. What does this light mean? Also my car does not idle very well spontaneously. Does this GEN light mean something? It drained my battery by staying on after the ignition was off.

Just a thought on the gen light - on my firebird, if you turn the key all the way to the left, it's on "accessories", but the key can still come out. I have to take the key out in the full upright position, this is the off position. It's possible your car is the same way. It will drain your battery if the ignition switch isn't off.

I'm guessing that must be it!
I disconnected the battery and I'm recharging it right now. I'll have go out and see if that was the problem later on tonight.

Thanks Ashtray

Ima a lousy 'letrician, but I have a working knowledge on the subject. The alernator has a bad diaode or whatever other kind of hodgemoe is the correct part/name. If you don't fix it, the battery will die again.

Also could be a bad ground

it was just my dumb self turning the key too far into the accesory range and pulling it out.

thanks for the help guys