[Vwdiesel] 2003 Golf ALT symptoms - any other possibilities?

[Travis .]

The alt pulley is a clutched pulley. Sometimes they fail and lock solid. Sometimes they start to slip and don't turn the alt over enough to charge. Rarely but it does happen-the pulley explodes. Pull the belt off, put a screwdriver into the inside fan blades and then turn the pulley. It should turn one direction only. If turns both or neither it is bad. $65 is cheaper then $400. You need a special tool/s to get the pulley off (another $35 or can be rented from someone). 
Travis