Hello all, for maybe a month I have had practically no power steering at low rmps, didn’t think much of it. About a week ago, I had my airbag light turn on in the dash. And a couple days ago had the battery light turn on in the dash, sometimes turning off at >1500rmps.

Yesterday I had all the same problems but suddenly lost traction control, stability control, ABS, parking brake light, etc.. along with a loud constant beep. Maybe 2 minutes later radio deck dimming, headlights dimming, etc.. , and the vehicle essentially stalling while driving. Managed to pull into Walmart for a replacement battery to get it home.

This morning all the lights on the dash were off, except the airbag light, and the battery light turns on only when at a near stop…. <1000rpm

It seems clear that there is an alternator issue, but my question is: Could this all be because of pulley slip/loose pulley? Do 4th gens have a way to tightening the pulleys? The fact of the poor power steering for the past month had me thinking this before the alternator issues…

I also have a 3 hour drive I need to do today, all highway, that is across pretty baron land. Would I make it the 3 hours (150mi.) with these symptoms? Would hate to get stranded.

2004 Sport V6 4x4 230k

Any insight or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Belt tensioner or stretched belt. Replace as needed. Be sure to test battery and charging voltage.

Power steering rez could be low or empty, the rest as stated above. Don't take that 3 hour trip see below.....


Just sit right back
And you'll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful trip,