Enroute to the S.F bay area on sat morning I watched my temp gauge from its normal middle of the dail position go all the way to nothing. Shortly after the engine started to miss, and finally died, leaving me stranded on the side of the road.
When I looked under the hood I discovered the exciter wire had come loose, again, from the alternator.
I checked the battery it was at 7.0 volts. Car wouldnt start. Later, after I reattached the exciter wire and got a jump start all seemed ok, ie the car was running again and the altenator was putting out 13.59 volts.
All was well, except the car was running erratic at idle. I drove the car about 60 miles without a problem, but when I exited the freeway and got to an idle it was still running ragedy.
The final chapter in this saga is this: sunday morning I started the car and it was still running ragedy at idle. However, after driving about 1/4 mile to the stop sign, the car was idling smoothly once again, and continues to do so.
What I need is for someone to explain what happened exactly.
I understand why it died, what I dont get is why it took so long for the system to adjust and achieve a smooth idle?

Thanks