Charging problem

[razboy]

My 2.8 v6 4motion has an occasional charging fault. The battery warning light will display, along with "alternator workshop" on the message display. Mostly it will last 5-10 seconds and then go away, and the car runs normally. At the weekend the warning lights did not go out and the car eventually died at the roadside. RAC breakdown jump started the car and checked it with a meter. Initially it was not charging, then after a couple of minutes it did suddenly start to charge and continued to run ok. I suspect either the clutch in the alternator pulley, or the belt tensioner is sticking. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks in advance

[niall campbell]

just replace like for like alternator

or you could see if the alternator belt has stretched due to age or tensioner is away .................................................. ... it might be cheaper to test belt firstly, I replace mine every 60,000 along with cambelt

but belt would squeal, possibly

if your alternator has a clutch, I strongly recommend getting the same make as the one that is fitted, tempting as it is to get another make. The car has to talk to the alternator and there is a wave through the alternator signal the car reads