OK, so today my 96 passport decided to light up the BATT, BRAKE, and 4WD dash lights all at once. The volt meter is steady at ~10 volts. I've checked the brake fluid, cleaned the battery terminals, even traced down to as many ground locations as I can find. They were all solid. All connections to the alternator seem to be solid.

I can see the BRAKE or FWD light go ever so slightly brighter and dimmer as I move the e-brake up and down or move int into 4WD. I did the whole cleaning and tightening thing like three times and after each time it was the same lights on, no change.

It sounds like the alternator bit the dust. Is there a way to tell without driving it autozone? Its quite far for me to get there form home. How far can I drive it before the battery dies? Its an optima red top btw...