I thought the alternator was dying on my 84 1.7 non A/C Jetta since it's got down to around -20 degrees. It was fine in testing so I replaced all the corroded wiring up to the battery but I still get symptoms of a failing alternator after driving for 15-20 minutes. Now it's dawned on me that the belt squeals a bit and get's unbelievably hot. It must be the cold that has caused a change in the chemistry of the belt or something.
Anyway, does the squealing and the burning hot belt mean de facto that the belt is slipping, or could it be too tight? Is there a better test? It seems "pretty tight", but I could definitely get it tighter if I needed to. Any conventional wisdom on belt tightness? Could it be something else? Thanks. Ben
1984 Jetta 1.7 1986 XJS 5.3