Clutched alternator issue... (?)
I don't spend a lot of time driving my Merc. She sits for months with no issues when it's time to turn that key. Recently I have noticed the battery dead or extremely weak and after a full charge (Motorcraft Maxx BXT 65-750) the battery tested ok. Took the car to work Friday and drove home without incident. Noticed last night with headlights and A/C the voltage drops to 10 with brake application at idle. The system reads 13.8 - 14.1 at idle with NO load (13.8 - 14.4 is norm). I am gonna remove the alternator and have it tested. I noticed the pulley clutch is locked and spins the stator in both directions. Is there a possibility the clutch may be slipping in the drive direction? I am familiar with the way these work but can they fail and allow slippage under load? I am having the alternator rebuilt and the clutch replaced but with 49K miles an alternator failure seems unlikely. Any opinions on this?
'04 Silver Marauder w/ sunroof - HID lighting, JL Audio / Eclipse DVD/NAV/iPod/camera, 4.10's, 2" drop, Progard Bumper Baffle, Delete tips, Billet Pedals, BC4E dead pedal, Lidio Tune, Mach1 chin spoiler, K&N CAI, TCE lines, Super40's, tinted tails, SS Inserts, Heinous Control Arms, Real oil gauge, lighted door handles. Currently installing Eaton M112.
2004 Mercury Marauder
Born March 2004, adopted October 2005. Sold January 2012, adopted AGAIN January 2016
2,187 of 3,214
997 in Silver Birch
448 with light flint interior
304 with heated seats
336 with sunroof