[Vwdiesel] Diagnosing a failed alternator, or? (fwd)

[Val Christian]

Coolant is unpressurized due to small radiator leak (seems all my VWs have
radiator leaks these days.)

Warmed up and dryed out car.  Instrument cluster working OK now.  Alternator 
clutch is chattering, sounding like a loose bracket, but I can feel the 
vibration on the diode side of the alternator, and it corresponds with 
action on the spring for the idler pulley.

So the alt needs to get swapped, but outside in 13F wx is not my first choice.
However it is nastier tomorrow.

Existing alternator is about 2.5 years old, but this car gets about 30kmiles
a year.  So it figures.

Still puzzled about the dash issue. The alternator has not failed yet.