"I have been thinking I might have gotten a bad alternator from AutoZone". I used to work for Autozone many years ago as the Parts Sales Manager. I lost track of how many alternators came back because they were pieces of crap. Odds are pretty good that since you got it there, it's defective. Go to NAPA and see if they have a genuine AC/Delco and get it. Never buy electrical parts or sensors at Autozone. They're crappy parts. I don't shop there for anything nowadays.